208 



CHAP. XXVI. 



On the countries most beneficially situated for the cul- 

 ture of the Bee, and the number of hives each can 

 support* 



The former has already been fully considered, and 

 the latter cannot well be determined ; as much de- 

 pends upon the nature and quantity of the herbage of 

 all countries, and the advantages which may be deriv- 

 ed from the transportation, or pasturage of Bees, in 

 different districts of the same country, and as no da- 

 mage has yet been recorded of any country, from hav- 

 ing been overstocked with Bees. The celebrated La 

 Gren^e concludes, that, without contradiction, there 

 are some countries more favourable to the cultivation 

 of the Bee than others, yet that they may be kept to 

 advantage in all, and that no one ought to neglect to 

 provide himself with Bees, whatever be the country 

 and the soil, and the productions of the place* 



CHAP. XXVIL 



On the distance which Bees fly for food. 



It is generally understood by Apiarians, that the 

 Bee can fly 3 or 4 miles, and that they sometimes col- 

 lect honey at this distance ; but Mr. Huish has ren- 

 dered this certain by the following fact. " I once 

 accompanied a party of friends to the Isle of Man, si- 

 tuated at the entrance of the Frith of Forth, and 

 which is at a much greater distance than 4 miles from 

 any land, Not a single hive of Bees is kept upon 

 this Island ; how great then was my astonishment to 

 find a considerable number of Bees busily employed 

 upon the Island amongst the heath, and who must 

 have winged their way across the ocean in quest of 



