THE FARMER'S MANUAL* 207 



and in the West-Indies, and thus offers its labours to 

 all classes of men without exception. The immor- 

 tal Linneus, in speaking of the Bee, says, " It is not 

 yet determined if the Bees, and other insects, which 

 feed on honey, occasion any injury to the little em- 

 bryos, or cause any obstruction to their generation, 

 by imbibing the nectar of the flowers." Since it is 

 so well known that the Bees afford such immense 

 profit to the cultivators, with so little expense and 

 trouble, and without the least injury to the most deli- 

 cate parts of the vegetable kingdom, it must be ow- 

 ing to a want of knowledge, or a want of attention, 

 that America derives so little share from the profits 

 of this wonderful insect. 



CHAP. XXV. 



Directions for the purchase of Hives. 



There is no commodity in which a purchaser can 

 be so easily deceived as in a hive of Bees, and it is 

 only the experienced Apiarian who can detect the 

 particular defects. The value of a hive can only be 

 known by a minute and close examination of its inte- 

 rior. If the exterior be sound, the interior may be 

 bad ; the combs may be black and ill-flavoured, which 

 is always the case in old hives. When the age of 

 the hive is determined, (which may be known by the 

 number of queen cells,) and the hive is found free 

 from moths and other enemies, the month of Februa- 

 ry and March will be the best time to purchase, and 

 the activity of the Bees, together with the weight of 

 the hive will give the best criterion. Hives pur- 

 chased from a distance, generally do best, not being 

 so often obstructed in their labours, by losing their 

 way, and returning to their old habitations. Swarms, 

 when moved, do best when carried by water, and in. 

 the evening. 



