4 THE COTTAGE A*D FARM BEE KEEPER. 



cult as to prevent its answering the first of the requisites above men- 

 tioned ; for the other, the benevolence of the higher classes and then- 

 kind co-operation must be looked to. 



It is because I believe our rural clergy have it in their power more 

 than any body else to encourage this branch of rural economy, that I 

 would address these pages especially to them. Owing to their con- 

 tinual residence within their parishes or cures, they have the best op- 

 portunities, both of acquiring themselves a thorough knowledge of 

 the practical management of bees, and, at the same time, of recom- 

 mending it to the notice of their people by precept and example. Nor 

 is it alone in respect of the more extended good which they may 

 do to others that I would call their attention to this subject, but also 

 on account of the peculiar interest and pleasure which they themselves 

 may derive from it. Independently of the interest which attaches to the 

 apiarian art from economic considerations, and the pleasure of appro- 

 priating to one's own use the surplus produce of bee industry — a plea- 

 sure, by the way, of a very exquisite kind, as every bee master will 

 bear me witness — it merits, as a hranch of natural history, the attention 

 . of every lover of nature, and the curious investigator of her secret things. 

 There is still so much mystery attached to the habits of the bee, and 

 especially to the internal economy of the hive, that the scientific study 

 of these insects affords ample scope for much patient and hopeful re- 

 search. Supposing, however, that the whole history of the hive bee 

 had been opened up so as to preclude the hope of further discovery, 

 there is quite enough in the simple verification of the discoveries of 

 others to interest and astonish the lover of nature. In every way, in- 

 deed, the study of bees is so fascinating and instructive,, that I would 

 gladly induce many of my brethren in the ministry to share its plea- 

 sures with me. 



Having said thus much on the subject of bee-keeping generally, by 

 way of recommending an increased attention to it, let me say a few 

 words as to its difficulties. These certainly are neither few nor trifling, 

 although perfectly easy of mastery by the patient, intelligent, and per- 

 severing bee owner. The less he can lay claim to this complex char- 

 acter, the greater of course will his difficulties become. But are not these 

 qualifications considered necessary to success in every branch of rural 

 economy — I may say, in every pursuit of life ? Did one ever hear of 

 stupidity, sloth, or inattention succeeding in any enterprise of whatever 



