566 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch. XLV. 



be delayed without disappointment and loss. Some labourers may say, 

 " Oh ! we can buy a hundred or two ;" but, surely, it is better to have a 

 few hundreds to sell than one to buy. All sorts of winter greens may still 

 be stuck in on every vacant spot : they are sure to come into use at some 

 time or other. 



Bees. — Do not think of taking up tlie hives in this month : they are still 

 increasing in weight, and will continue to increase till the flowers of the 

 wild heath decay. 



October. — Care of the growing crops, by earthing-up those which 

 require it; clearing off all decayed stalks and leaves, and preparing ground 

 for the reception of spring cabbage, are the principal matters to be attended 

 to in the garden at this season. Gather ripe seeds, and dry tiiem tho- 

 rougldy before storing them away. 



Bees. — This is the honey-harvest, and the possessor of bees is now real- 

 izing the profits derivable from them. The store-liives are first selected, 

 and the others are " put down " in the usual way by suffocating them over 

 a pit with the fumes of brimstone. 



This act is shocking to humane minds, and a cruel return for the industry 

 of the insects ; but it is less cruel, perhaps, than allowing them to die a 

 lingering death in old age ; when, on leaving the hive in the morning, they 

 are unable to return, and so drop and perish in the cold air. Manv plans are 

 in use for saving the lives of the bees: it is a remission of the cruel sen- 

 tence of instant extirpation, but it is only a change of suftering; and no 

 profit results from preserving them alive. 



November. — Planting the next year's spring crop of cabbage on the 

 ground prepared for them as advised last month, is one material affair ; 

 and taking up the crops of potatoes, carrots and parsnips, for storing, is 

 another. Finish mouiding-up celery, blanch endive, hoe out winter spinach, 

 and draw earth to the stems of rowed crops. The first sowings of early 

 peas and Mazagan beans are usually made towards the end of this month. 

 Dry and warm situations must be chosen. 



Bees. — The hives should be weighed in this month ; and, after an allow- 

 ance is made for the weight of the hive and the bees, an estimate may be 

 made of the actual quantity of honey. If heavy, they will go through the 

 winter well ; if light, they will require feeding with the syrup before recom- 

 mended. The hives should be well covered, lest rain or snow beat upon 

 them : dryness is as necessary as warmth. 



December. — Trench, or rough-dig all vacant ground: if wet and heavy, 

 or clayey, lay it in ridges to be ameliorated by the frost ; if dry and sandy, 

 lay it smoothly flat — frost does no good to light land. Secure all crops 

 liable to be destroyed by frost, and clear the garden of all unsightly leaves 

 or rubbish. 



Bees. — Guard the hives from wet : bees which are kept dry and warm, 

 are always more lively and consume more food than those chilled by 

 inclement weather, and consequently the former are ultimately more 

 productive. 



ALLOTMENTS. 



The subject of granting allotments of land to the peasantry has lately 

 engaged much attention, and many benevolent persons of distinguished 

 rank have formed themselves into a society — ^justly termed " The Labourer's 

 Friend Society," for the purpose of promoting that object; partly founded 

 upon a plan carried largely into effect some years ago in Holland, where 



