190 IMPORTANCE OP BEE-KEEPING. 



into fruit for want of the visit of a bee. The wind 

 does much, and many other insects help, but of all 

 workers amongst the flowers, the bee, we know, is first 

 and foremost and most useful. And so much is this 

 the case that when fruit-farming is undertaken and 

 large orchards are planted, some people very wisely 

 establish at the same time large apiaries, not so much 

 for the honey the bees produce, as for the good they 

 do amongst the fruit trees. On every ground then 

 we bid ' welcome to the bee.' 



WELCOME TO THE BEE. 



' Come, honey bee, with thy busy hum. 

 To the.fragrant tufts of the wild thyme come, 

 And sip the sweet dew from the cowslip's head, 

 From the lily's bell and the violet's bed, 



Come, honey bee. 



There is spread for thee 

 A rich repast in wood and field : 



And a thousand flowers, 



Within our bowers, 

 To thee their sweetest essence yield. 



Come, honey bee, to our woodlands come ; 

 There's a Jesson for us in thy busy hum ; 

 Thou hast treasure in store in the hawthorn's wreath. 

 In the golden broom, and the purple heath ; 



And flowers less fair 



That scent the air 

 Like pleasant friends, drop balm for thee, 



And thou winnest spoil 



By thy daily toil 

 Thou patient and thrifty and diligent bee. 



We may learn from the bee the wise man's lore, 

 " The hand of the diligent gathereth store :" 

 Sheplieain her calling from morn to night, 



