i72 THE FARMER'S MANUAL, 



from all obstructions ; even the ends of straws that 

 project in the interior of a new straw hive, are all 

 removed, and often with great trouble. To remedy 

 this, every new hive should be smoked, and cleansed, 

 and rubbed with a stiff brush, until it is quite smooth, 

 before it is presented for the use of the swarm. 



It is universally admitted by all Apiarians, that the 

 Bees employ no other substance for the foundation 

 of their combs than propolis, although the ancients, 

 even Pliny, has furnished them with two others 

 of an unctuous, pithy nature, more adhesive than 

 propolis. On leaving the parent hive, the young 

 swarm are provided with all the requisites for their 

 new labours, with food for several days; and when 

 they take possession of their new habitation, their 

 activity and order are truly striking. Some cleanse 

 the hive, others close up every crevice where the 

 light can penetrate, others construct the combs, whilst 

 others repiair to the fields, and collect the necessary 

 materials; thus all is action and order, amidst the 

 busy hum. 



The Bee always begins her labours at the top oi" 

 the hive, and generally in the middle ; thus they lay 

 their foundation for the deposit of the eggs of the 

 queen, around which they construct the cells for the 

 reception of honey, and the whole fabric hangs sus- 

 pended in air. They attach their combs with sOch a 

 viscous glue, that they are always firm, and were 

 never known to fail ; and to diminish as much as 

 possible the weight of their edifice, they give the 

 least possible thickness to their cells; but, at the 

 same time, they strengthen the entrance of their 

 cells by a border of wax ; this part being most ex- 

 posed to suffer from use. This border, also, serves 

 to assist in retaining the honey, and thus discloses 

 the fact, that the Bee possesses a perfect knowledge 

 of the laws of fluids ; by the assistance of this bor- 

 der, the eel! can be filled with honey even to a con- 

 vex form, and thus being covered by a pellicle of wax. 



