Li-cc Stock. Bees Flowers and Plants mojl fait able for. 76! 



indifferent fituation, a very trifling profit can be expected. Britain in general is 

 but thinly flocked with bees. Few farmers in companion efteem them worth their 

 notice; it is from the attention of cottagers we derive the chief fupply of honey 

 and wax. It will be readily admitted that a large number of flocks kept within a 

 fmall circuit, and in a bad (ituation will be prejudicial to that circuit, as being 

 more than can be fupported in plenty, and will neceflarily impoverifh each other. 

 The ftate of any .particular fituation may be known by the general pro duel: for fe- 

 veral years together, and not from one or two years only ; but more certainly from 

 what a very good feafon will produce, which may be accounted as a flandard. But 

 there are many fituations capable of feeding a much larger number of flocks than 

 are to be found on them. However, if the generality of farmers and cottagers in 

 dividually would keep a few flocks, nearly all the honey and wax this country could 

 produce might be collected. This would not only benefit individuals, but might 

 alfo be of real national utility.*&quot; 



It is added, that &quot;large heaths and commons, furroundcd with woods, are noted 

 for being abundantly productive; the firft abounding with wild thyme.and various 

 other flowers untouched by the fcythe, and the other with a-profufion of farina 

 and honey-dews. Heath and broom are very ferviceable, as continuing long and 

 late in bloom.&quot; It is remarked cc that thedomeftic bees are very nice in their felec- 

 tions, and do not rove from one fort of flowers to thofe of another indifcriminately. 

 They are limited to a few kinds ; thofe of the moft gaudy colours, and which afford 

 the moft refplendent fhow and agreeable odours, aremoftly neglected by them, as 

 hyacinths, jefTamines, rofes, honey-fuckles, &c. while very fmall flowers, or thofd 

 of little note, are to them plentiful fources of nectareous fweets. Sallows furnifli 

 a larger quantity of farina than moft other plants, and that as early as the bees, 

 have occafion for it. Rofemary is the firft aromatic plant that blows ; it grows 

 wild in fome parts of France, and is the caufe of that fuperiority for which the 

 Narbonne honey is eft eemed. Mintonette yields good honey, and is valuable for 

 its long -continuance in bloom, even till November. Beds of it near an apiary will 

 be of advantage, as will edgings of creeping lemon-thyme along the borders of 

 the garden. Single wall-flowers in plenty will be ferviceable. Lime-trees arc 

 not to be neglected about apiaries, ferving in a double capacity by their flowers 

 and their leaves, which are frequently covered with honey-dews. Neither beans 

 nor orchard-trees afford any great quantity of honey, as may be obferved by the 



# Keys on the Management of Bees. 



VOL. ii. 5 E 



