114 THE APIAET; OE, 



recesses of the hives, is a great temptation to the bee-keeper ; but, 

 if he yields too readily to it, he will imperil his chance of profit, 

 and deprive himself of that continuous source of interest, which a 

 judicious apiarian always enjoys. 



Many persons who are well informed on most subjects, are 

 extraordinarily ignorant of the natural history of bees, and the 

 economy of the bee-hive. Perhaps we might venture to suggest 

 that, more pains should be taken at schools or by parents to inform 

 young persons on this, in connection with kindred subjects. As an 

 amusing illustration of the ignorance referred to, we transcribe an 

 order we received a short time since from a seminary in the north ■ 



of England. The young gentleman thus writes : — "Master 



presents his compliments to Messrs. Neighbour, and begs they will 

 send him a swarm of bees ; he encloses six postage stamps, and 

 hopes they will send him a good swarm." This embryo naturalist 

 was evidently of a mercantile turn, and had a mind to buy in 

 the cheapest market, for in a postscript he adds : — " Please let it 

 be fourpence, if you can ! " We need scarcely say that in reply we 

 endeavoured to enlighten our juvenile correspondent as to what 

 constituted a swarm of bees, and returned the stamps, with our thanks. 



The culture of bees would be greatly promoted, if a knowledge 

 of it were considered necessary as one of the regular qualifications 

 of a gardener. So little time is needed to gain the skill requisite 

 for the tendance of an apiary, that it seems only reasonable to 

 expect it of a well taught gardener, and he should feel a pleasure in 

 the circumstance of its forming a part of his duties. In Germany, 

 where a country gentleman's table is kept constantly supplied with 

 fresh honey, the gardeners are expected to understand the manage- 

 ment of hives ; and in Bavaria, modern bee culture is taught in the 

 colleges to all the horticultural students. Travellers in Switzerland 

 will call to mind the almost invariable practice of placing new honey 

 on the breakfast tables at hotels in that country. 



Some writers on bee-culture attach much importance to the 

 particular position in which an apiary stands, and the aspect 

 towards which it faces. A southern, or rather a south-eastern 

 aspect is the one which we have already recommended. Our reason 

 for this preference is, that we deem it very important for the bees 

 to have the first of the morning sun. Bees are early risers, and 

 should have every inducement given them for the maintenance 



