64 SOUBCES OF HONET. 



pations. Though many bees were seen banqueting on 

 grapes, not one was seen doing any mischief to sound 

 fruit. Grapes which were bruised, or the moist stems, 

 from which grapes had recently been plucked, were cot- 

 ered with bees, while other bees were observed to alight 

 upon bunches, which when found, by careful inspection 

 to be sound, they left with evident disappointment. 



" Wasps and hornets, which secrete no wax, being fur- 

 nished with strong saw-like jaws for cutting the woody 

 fibre with which they build their combs, can easily pene- 

 trate the skin of the toughest fruits. While the bees, 

 therefore, appeared to be comparatively innocent, multi- 

 tudes of these depredators were seen helping themselves 

 to the best of the grapes. * * * After the mischief 

 has been begun by other insects, or wherever a crack or a 

 spot of decay is seen, the honey-bee hastens to help it- 

 self. * * * In tiiis way they undoubtedly do some 

 mischief, but before war is declared against them, let 

 every fruit grower inquire, if, on the whole, they are not 

 more useful than injurious." 



The honey crop of 1869 being a total failure with us, 

 we had ample opportunity to observe if the bees were in- 

 clined to commit any unusual depredations upon the pro- 

 ducts of our vines, and I must exonerate them from any 

 malicious intent or deed. 



It is no uncommon occurrence for bees to frequent 

 cider mills in great numbers, attracted by the juice of 

 the crushed apples. It does not always appear to be at- 

 tendant upon a scarcity of honey, for they often do not 

 care anything about it, even when otherwise idle. The 

 Hon. Harris Lewis, a prominent agriculturist of this 

 county, who makes vinegar largely, has been known to 

 stop his cider mill to avoid the great destruction of bees 

 incident to the operation of crushing the apples. His 

 sense of justice and consideration for the interests of 

 others, at the sacrifice of his own convenience, is char- 



