194 THE FARMER'S 



over the jar, in which the honey is to remain; for 

 the less it is stirred after draining, it keeps the bet- 

 ter. Fill the jar to the brim, as a little scum must 

 be taken off when it has settled. A bladder well 

 washed in lukewarm water, ought to be laid over 

 the double fold of white paper with, which it is cov 

 ered. 



To take the honey without destroying the bees. 



The following easy method of taking the honey 

 without destroying the bees, is generally practised 

 in France. In the dusk of the evening, when the 

 bees are quietly lodged, approach the hive, and 

 turn it gently over. Having steadily placed it in 

 a small pit, previously dug to receive it, with its 

 bottom upwards, cover it with a clean new hive, 

 which has been properly prepared,with a few sticks 

 across the inside of it, and rubbed with aromatic 

 herbs. Having carefully adjusted the mouth of 

 each hive to the other,so that no aperture remains 

 between them, take a small stick, and beat gently 

 round the sides of the lower hive for about ten 

 minutes, or a quarter of an hour, in which time 

 the bees will leave their cells in the lower hive, 

 ascend, and adhere to the upper one. Then gen- 

 tly lift the new hive, with all its little tenants, and 

 place it on the stand from which the other hive 

 was taken. This should be done some time in the 

 week preceding midsummers day, that the bees 

 may have time, before the summer flowers are fa- 

 ded, to lay in a new stock of honey, which they 

 will not fail to do for their subsistence through the 

 winter. 



