CHAPTER V. 



MANUFACTURE OP HONEY BY THE HIVE BEE. 



MANY and various are the trees, shrubs, and 

 plants, yielding blossoms rich in honey, which 

 have been recommended to be cultivated in the 

 neighbourhood of bee-hives ; and no one can 

 have watched the proceedings of the industrious 

 inhabitants without observing that the early blos- 

 soms of the sallow and of the horse-chestnut seem 

 peculiarly acceptable, and later in the season those 

 of the lime ; while mignonette, thyme, rosemary, 

 lavender, and various other flowers, are assiduously 

 visited by these diligent collectors. But the best 

 stores of our gardens yield a scanty supply com- 

 pared with the treasures of the fields, such as 

 bean blossoms, and clover blossoms. The latter 



