32 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



this noise, which disarms the Workers for a while ; and 

 that on hearing a similar sound, from the insect in question, 

 it produces a similar effect, and gives the animal a chance 

 of preying on the honey. 



But, as we believe this insect has never made its appear- 

 ance in this Country, we will refer those of our Readers to 

 the Edinburg Encyclopedia (article BEE) who are desirous 

 of having a particular description of this enemy of 

 Bees. 



Wasps and hornets also prey on the contents of the 

 hive; and should therefore have their nests destroyed, 

 whenever found any where near the beehouse. 



Sometimes Bees turn Robers ; and those owned by one 

 will be found carrying off the honey, fro u the hives belong- 

 ing to another, to their own dwellings; and in that case the 

 Bees of the emptied hives are said to follow. 



Whether this be a matter of conquest on the one side, 

 or of consent on the other, is perhaps difficult to say; but, 

 where the Owner of the deserting Bees finds this to be the 

 case, which is to be known by the sudden desertion and 

 emptying of his hives, perhaps his best remedy is to re- 

 move his remaining Swarms to another neighborhood, for 

 the season, or change his stock of Bees. 



Those which are the Robers may be traced to their 

 dwellings, by scattering a litile flour over them, as they 

 leave the hives from which they carry the honey, and ob- 

 serving their course as they go off. 



Bees thrive best, and collect most honey, in the neigh- 

 borhood of flowers; and the nearer to them the better. 

 Buckwheat, while in blossom, affords excelent food for 

 them. Broom, clover, mustard, and the flowers of the 

 poppy, afford them good pastures. The flowers of migno- 

 nette are much relished by them, and give the finest honey. 

 Mr. Bromwtchf a British Writer, relates that he planted 

 a quantity of it before two beehives, at a considerable dis- 

 tance from any other Bees; and, with such abundant sup- 

 plies as this afforded them, few ever left the garden where 

 the mignonette grew. 



In September, he took the honey, and found it to ex- 

 ceed, by above a third, what he obtained from any other 

 two of his best hives, where the Bees were obliged to fly 

 farther; and that the honey was equal in fragrance and color 

 to what is imported from the warmer climates. 



For the purpose, therefore, of having the Bees as con- 

 stantly as possible where they can have the easiest access 

 to their food, it is the practice in some countries to carry 

 them from place to place, in search of fresh, or of the 

 earliest, flowers; and this is done both by land and 

 water. 



