22 THE FARMER AT HOME. 



cultivated tree or plant has its peculiar family of aphis ; and those 

 trees or shrubs that are wild, or found only in the depths of the 

 forest, cannot claim exemption. Soap suds and a strong decoction of 

 tobacco, have been deemed most effectual in destroying them ; 

 though when a foothold is once obtained, from their rapid multiplica- 

 tion extermination is difficult. 



APIARY. This is a garden or place where bees are kept, and 

 derives its names from apis, which signifies a bee. The ancient as 

 well as modern writers on bees agree in recommending a southern 

 aspect as the most proper for this purpose ; as a general rule, bee- 

 hives should be placed in such situations as are little exposed to the 

 wind, and enjoy as much of the influence of the sun as possible ; as 

 wind always retards the bees in their work, while the sun's beams 

 invite them to it. Thus, though it be well known, that bees will 

 thrive well in high and windy situations, a low one is obviously 

 always to be preferred. In the vicinity of the apiary, there should 

 constantly be abundance of flowers, from which the bees may collect 

 their wax and honey. Mr. Bonner, a late writer on the management 

 of bees, observes, that were a choice allowed him where to place his 

 bees, it should be in an easterly situation, a hollow glen by the side 

 of a rivulet, surrounded with abundance of turnips in blossom in the 

 spring, mustard and clover in summer, and heath in the latter end of 

 autumn and harvest ; with a variety of other garden and wild flowers 

 in their seasons. 



It is not, however, to be understood from this, that bees will not 

 thrive unless they are placed in such an advantageous situation, as 

 the contrary can, he says, be proved ; for bees have thriven amazing- 

 ly well in places where they were not within reach of any of the 

 above mentioned flowers ; but although they will do well in most 

 situations, and fly far for their food, yet they will thrive far better 

 when situated among or near good pasture, and surrounded with 

 plenty of food. And Mr. Keys properly remarks, that the hives 

 should be clear from the droppings of trees, and the annoyance of 

 dunghills, long grass and weeds, as by these means insects are bred 

 which are not only destructive to the bees, but which greatly retard 

 them in the preparation of honey. 



Great improvements may be made in providing plenty of pasture 

 for bees, and as a rich corn country is unfavorable to their industry, 

 the practice of other nations, in shifting the abode of their bees, is 

 deserving of notice. M. Maillet, in his description of Egypt, informs 

 us, that the natives of that fertile country annually send their bees 

 into distant regions, to procure sustenance for them, when they cannot 

 find any at home. About the end of October, the inhabitants of 

 Lower Egypt embark their bees on the Nile, and in this extraordinary 

 Apiary convey them to upper Egypt, when the inundation is with- 

 drawn, the lands are sown, and the flowers beginning to bud. These 



