158 THE BEE-KEEPER IN AUTUMN. 



flowers much later than other honey-giving plants or 

 trees. 



At last, however, even the heather is over, and the 

 bees "must rest ; and having left nothing to be done at 

 the last moment — as many people do — but having 

 looked forward, and made every preparation, they 

 have both well earned their rest, and can enjoy it. 



' Oh, Nature kind ! oh, labourer wise ! 

 That roam'st along the summer's ray, 

 Glean'st ev'ry bliss thy life supplies, 

 And meet'st prepared thy wintry day. 



' Go, envied, go, to crowded gates, 



Bear home thy store in triumph gay ; 

 The hive thy rich return awaits, 

 To shame each idler of the day.' 



Smyth. 



The bee-keeper, however, must not quite rest at 

 present, for there is oftentimes much of importance to 

 be done in autumn, especially to those hives which 

 are weak, and short of bees and food, but of all this a 

 guide-book will give information. 



There is, however, one operation of which I must 

 here say something, as probably you will frequently 

 hear of it at this autumn season, when it is chiefly 

 practised. It is the operation of ' Driving,' by which 

 the bees in a skep are compelled to come out of their 

 hive, and, leaving all their comb and store behind, to 

 go whither the bee-keeper directs. He knocks at 

 their door. They listen, and with humble submission 

 obey. This sounds marvellous, and indeed appears 

 so to those who for the first time see it done. It calls 

 forth many an exclamatoin of surprise at the bee- 



