226 HONEY. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

 HONEY. 



HONEY is a well known, sweet, tenacious, sub- 

 stance, which in fine weather is continually secre- 

 ting in the nectaries of flowers, chiefly from 

 certain vesicles or glands situated near the basis 

 of every petal, from whence it is collected by bees 

 and other insects. The domestic honey bees 

 consume a portion of this honey for food, at or 

 near the time of gathering ; but the principal part 

 is regurgitated and poured into the cells of the 

 hive, for the use of the community in winter : so 

 very abundant are these collections, in favourable 

 seasons, as to afford to the apiarian an extensive 

 share of them, without distressing the provident 

 hoarders. Mr. Wildman states that in the year 

 1789, he purchased a glass filled with exceedingly 

 fine honey-combs, weighing 63lbs., whichhad been 

 collected within a month, and that the hive which 

 it had surmounted still contained a full supply 

 for the winter's consumption of the bees. This 

 however was an unusual quantity ; a hive or box, 

 of the dimensions recommended in this work, may 

 be considered as well stocked when it yields from 

 30 to 40lbs. of honey. 



The honey intended for early use, and for the 



