THE PASTORAL BEES 8 



and wholesome, and full of such virtues every way, 

 would be something to put one's tongue to. Or 

 that from the blossoms of the apple, the peach, the 

 cherry, the quince, the currant, — one would like a 

 card of each of these varieties to note their peculiar 

 qualities. The apple- blossom is very important to 

 the bees. A single swarm has been known to gain 

 twenty pounds in weight during its continuance. 

 Bees love the ripened fruit, too, and in August and 

 September will suck themselves tipsy upon varieties 

 like the sops-of-wine. 



The interval between the blooming of the fruit- 

 trees and that of the clover and raspberry is bridged 

 over in many localities by the honey locust. What 

 a delightful summer murmur these trees send forth 

 at this season ! I know nothing about the quality 

 of the honey, but it ought to keep weU. But when 

 the red raspberry blooms, the fountains of plenty are 

 unsealed indeed; what a commotion about the hives 

 then, especially in localities where it is extensively 

 cultivated, as in places along the Hudson ! The deli- 

 cate white clover, which begins to bloom about the 

 same time, is neglected; even honey itself is passed 

 by for this modest, colorless, all but odorless flower. 

 A field of these berries in June sends forth a contin- 

 uous murmur like that of an enormous hive. The 

 honey is not so white as that obtained from clover, 

 but it is easier gathered ; it is in shallow cups, while 

 that of the clover is in deep tubes. The bees are up 

 and at it before sunrise, and it takes a brisk shower 

 to drive them in. But the clover blooms later and 



