248 BEES. 



them, and by yearly repeated attacks exterminated them. 

 In consequence the insects which were the principal 

 food of these birds increased so as to do an hundred fold 

 more damage to their crops of grain and grass, than the 

 birds had done ; they then strove to reinstate that spe- 

 cies, and encourage their spreading in the country. 



It would be very wrong to destroy almost any species 

 of this interesting part of animated nature. Who would 

 grudge them a little grain in compensation for their 

 cheering songs, even if they were of no other service to 

 us? But when v/e take into consideration the vast num- 

 ber of insects they destroy which would prove injurious 

 to our crops, they ought to rank as auxiliaries to husband- 

 ry. Providence seems to have intended them for impor- 

 tant purposes to us ; and the person who sportively, or 

 through mistaken apprehensions, should lay them low, 

 would discover a disposition, little short of savage. 



BEES. 



Rural economy is incomplete, where bees are wanting. 

 The cost of keeping them is nothing, and the care that 

 is required about tbem is but trifling. 



There are three sorts of bees in a hive. 1. The 

 queen bee, which is larger, and of a brighter red than 

 the rest. Her business is to conduct the new swarms 

 j»nd lay eggs in the cells for a new brood. 2. The 

 drones, which have no stings, are of a darker color than 

 the rest, and are supposed to be the males. 3. The 

 honey bees, or working bees, which are by far more 

 numerous than the other two kinds. 



A bee-house should be at a suitable distance from any 

 place where cattle are kept, or where horses are tied ; 

 from hog-sties, and every other place where filth is col- 

 lected. It is well to place it in a remote part of the gar- 

 den, and let some shrubbery (currant or gooseberry 

 bushes) grow round it for the bees to light on, if they 

 are so disposed, when they swarm. No trees should be 

 near it; but in very hot weather, it may be occasionally 

 shaded with boughs of trees. Let it stand leaning for- 

 ward a little, facing the south-east, with the front part of 

 the roof projecting over considerably, to prevent rains 

 from wetUnj the hives. These should be kept clean. 



