564 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch.XLV. 



noxious spirit of that plant, that many people, and particularly children, have 

 been disordered by the incautious use of it. 



The hives should not only be sheltered from the north or cold quarter, 

 but they should be kept shaded during the heat of summer. This is best 

 done by having a straw capping for each hive : this is warmest in winter, 

 and coolest in summer. They should also be guarded against the attacks of 

 mice, moths, earwigs, and other insects which sometimes make inroads 

 upon them. Contracting their door-way in winter is always necessary. 



It is unnecessary to lengthen this section, by stating the various econo- 

 mical purposes to which the ])roducts of bees may be applied in a family. 

 Enough has already been advanced to induce every cottager to avail 

 himself of the advantages of bees, which, to possess, requires but a small 

 sacrifice at first, and but very little care afterwards. 



We subjoin twelve caleiidarial 7iotices, which may be useful in the 

 management of a small garden, as well as of the bees which may be kept 

 in it. 



January. — The weather is generally too wet and uncertain this month 

 for doing much in the garden. The cottager should now fix on his plans 

 for next year, and having ascertained the vegetables most useful to himself 

 and family, and most suitable for his soil and situation, ought to make pre- 

 parations accordingly. He must consider that radish, peas, and beans 

 must be sown this month, and the ground should be got ready for them. 



The bees should not be disturbed, but kept warm and dry. If any 

 light hive require feeding, this must be attended to ; and here it will be 

 necessary to say how their food is compounded — viz., put to a pint of 

 ale one lb. of sugar and half an oz. of salt : boil the whole together, and 

 skim off what rises on the surface, AVhen cold it will have the consistency 

 of honey. This food is best administered in a shallow wooden trough, 

 having a thin lid pierced with small holes, through which the bees sip their 

 food'without being soiled with it. 



February. — Prepare ground for putting in a few more long-pod beans, 

 and for planting a iew more rows of cabbage-plants from the seed-bed, if 

 any still remain. Move the earth between the rows of those planted in 

 October, and fill up blanks. Sow a small bed of coss lettuce on a warm 

 spot, and a drill of parsley, if wanted. 



Bees. — Continue to feed them : this will not make them lazy, but keep 

 them from roaming abroad too early, when they would be far better at 

 home. Feed them at night, and remove the troughs in the morning, lest 

 the neighbours' bees, which are not fed, visit your hives. The warmer the 

 bees are kept at this season the better ; it " hastens the hatchings of the 

 Gg^t and promotes the prolificacy of the queen." 



March. — This month being one of the busiest in the whole year, 

 it behoves the manager to be looking forward, by " taking time by the 

 forelock.'' The different portions of the garden must be got ready to 

 receive succession-crops of broad beans and marrowfat peas, together with 

 that for potatoes, onions, carrots, parsnips, summer-spinach, leeks, &c. New 

 plantations of delicate plants may be made, and salad and potherbs sown. 

 Transplant onions from the winter-crop. 



The bees begin to be in motion on warm days ; but they must be fed, 

 lest hunger drives them from home. 



April. — Execute what was recommended last month : every spare 

 hour should be employed in getting in the different crops. Potatoes, occu- 

 pying the largest plot of the garden, cannot be all planted at once ; but a 

 row or two at a time, as opportunity offers, may be set, till the whole is 



