186 THE FARMERS MANUAL. 



ly on certain vegetables, and even on some of then 

 parts to the exclusion of others. The only objection 

 to this theory, (and I must acknowledge, that the ex- 

 perience of the most able Naturalists is against me,} 

 is, that the dew is attracted by some bodies, whilst it 

 is not by others ; but it is known that this phenome- 

 non which often rises from the earth, always floats in 

 the air, where it always obeys the least breath, and 

 the weakest attraction, and often attaches itself to 

 the upper as well as the lower parts of the leaves of 

 trees. If it fell like rime, it would moisten indiffe- 

 rently every object. The acceleration of its fall, 

 would enable it to surmount the obstacle of the weak 

 repulsions, which it would find in its course. The 

 circumstance, however, that favours in the greatest 

 degree the illusion of the pretended fall of the honey- 

 dew is, that it is only the upper part of the leaves 

 ivhich is moistened with it. It has been seen, also, 

 that the moisture appears only on certain leaves, that 

 is, on the new ones and those that are the least ex- 

 posed, and this attraction or attachment is not the ef- 

 fect of chance ; it is further known, that it is on the side 

 of the leaf where the pores are not open and distin- 

 guishable that the greatest exudation takes place. It 

 is there that the excretory vessels unite, by which 

 the humour of the plants escapes in the same manner 

 as the absorbents, which serve for their nutrition, in 

 attracting the water of the rain and vapours which 

 are diffused in the air. If the different proofs be 

 now collected, which have been advanced, it may be 

 considered as undeniably proved, tint the honey-dew 

 exudes from the leaves of certain trees, and does 

 not fall from the atmosphere. 



CHAP. XV. 



On Swarms in general. 



In the spring, when a hive is over stocked with 

 young Bees, a particular period arrives when they 



