80] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



ties of these slug-worms : they were then pent up till the following 

 morning, when they were again turned out ; and this was repeated 

 for about nine days, by which time the insects were destroyed, and 

 the flax was preserved, and produced a good crop. The same prac- 

 tice is said to have been applied with success to the caterpillar, and 

 to slugs, on turnips. Ducks thrive very well in thick water, but if 

 there is plenty of clearer water so much the better, as both 

 ducks and geese are fond of a change. The Muscovy duck is by 

 much the largest and finest flavoured, as well as most beautiful and 

 various in colour ; and, what is singular in this variety, it will some- 

 times perch. 



Pigeons are kept by gentlemen resident in the country from 

 choice, and for the supply of their own tables ; by farmers who 

 happen to rent old mansions where pigeon-houses have been for- 

 merly erected, and by whom the markets are supplied ; and by 

 pigeon-fanciers, who keep tame ones. They are very prolific, breed- 

 ing almost every month : the young are readily sold at market, and 

 their dung is valuable as atop-dressing for crops. They certainly 

 deserve some attention. They do best in dove-houses secured from 

 vermin, especially rats, as boxes fixed on the outside of buildings 

 subject them to many inconveniences. They sometimes require to 

 be fed, particularly in the benting time: ten dozen of young pigeons 

 have been taken in a short time from a moderate-sized dove-house. 



Pigeons will sometimes forsake their habitations for want of being 

 fed, or kept clean : in which case boil assafcetida in water, and wash 

 the holes with it ; their feathers will receive the scent, which 

 pleases their companions so much that you will soon have the flock 

 restored. Cummin-seed is also reckoned a great enticer of pigeons, 

 by washing the holes with its decoction, or feeding them with grain 

 steeped in such water. They are also very fond of salt : a lump 

 laid on a plate on the dove-house floor, is very salutary to them : 

 or in a large dove-house this may be done in separate places. 



Bees are kept occasionally by farmers, and cottagers : it is 

 matter of surprise that they are not more attended to, and that every 

 farmer has not an apiary. A number of bee-hives is. attended with 

 little expence, and considerable profit may be made by selling the 

 honey, which may be used instead of sugar. It also makes excel- 

 lent liquor, under the names of mead and methaglin. The blossoms 

 of fruit are very kindly to bees, and much honey is produced in the 

 fruit counties around the Malvern-hills. Were the number of fruit- 

 treei therefore increased in this county, bees might be increased in 



