MISCELLANEOUS USES. 



work for the approaching winter, will store better their 

 hives which have been 'swarmed' and deprived of 

 honey, the colonies of which are worn or fatigued 

 with a long-continued gathering of a summer in more 

 southern countries. It must likewise be remembered 

 that bees cannot gather, or rather will not do so, late 

 in the autumn, when the cold prevents them from 

 sealing over with wax the top of the cell." 



With Scotland's natural advantages in large areas 

 of Heather available, it has been a matter of wonder to 

 some as to why apiculture was not carried on to a 

 greater extent by the Scottish Highlanders than it is. 

 The custom of conveying the skeps to the hills in 

 vogue among lowlanders is gradually dying out, hav- 

 ing been found somewhat expensive, it being neces- 

 sary to maintain one or more men to look after the 

 hives ; besides, the charge for transport to and from 

 the hills is a considerable item. Sugar is being sub- 

 stituted for the Heather nectar, though the honey 

 secured has not the flavor for which the Heather 

 honey is famed. 



Miscellaneous Uses 



One of the other uses to which Heather was put 

 is described by the translator of Ossian : "The ancient 

 manner of preparing feasts after hunting is handed 

 down by tradition. A pit lined with smooth stones 

 was made; and near it stood a heap of stones of the 

 flint kind. The stones as well as the pit were prop- 

 erly heated with heath. Then they laid some venison 

 in the bottom, and a stratum of the stones above it; 



