186 MANAGEMENT IN SPRING. 



launching forth into the air, though with a low timid 

 flight, and roaming from bush to bush in search of 

 some plant that may yield a modicum of farina for 

 the Queen has already begun to lay the eggs of 

 workers; and although there is always a certain 

 quantity of this kind of food in the hive, (the pro- 

 duct of the preceding year's gathering) for the coming 

 brood, the provident insects are aware that an addi- 

 tional supply will be required, and rouse themselves 

 accordingly from the winter's inactivity. The col- 

 lection of farina, however, is, at this early period, 

 very scanty. The few bees that are seen, during the 

 month of February, entering their domiciles with 

 their yellow loads, derive them almost solely from 

 the snow-drop, the crocus, and the furze-blossom. 

 Some other early flowering plants are sometimes to 

 be met with such as laurustinus, hellebore, and 

 spring flowering heath, but these are not common, 

 and in fact are found only or chiefly in spots where 

 they have been planted for the special benefit of the 

 apiary. At this early period, therefore, the owner 

 cannot help them, however anxious to do so, as far 

 as farina is concerned. In other respects, however, 

 equally important, he has it in his power to minister 

 essentially to their welfare, namely, by supplying 

 them plentifully with honey or syrup of sugar. In 

 the article of honey, none of the insect families of a 

 judicious bee-master will be deficient ; he has, it is 

 to be presumed, kept none as stock-hives which did 

 not possess stores sufficient, and more than sufficient, 



