64 SOURCES OF HONEY. 
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 cov- 
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 this 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- 
