bee-keeper's manual. 93 



The solution of this question, in my opinion, is this : 

 Bees are wise insects, with a natural instinct that goes 

 far ahead of the brains of man, in many cases. I mean 

 to say, that a large portion of mankind do not possess 

 the genius to adapt means to ends, so well as the little 

 puny honey-bee, so far as its ramifications of domestic 

 economy extend. This being the case, as I presume 

 will be admitted, by all persons acquainted with their 

 general labors, it follows, that the bee studies economy 

 of labor ; and when the fields can«ot be explored, such 

 labor as can be performed, to advance the general pros- 

 perity of the family, is undoubtedly attended to. 



The agriculturist,, when driven from the fields by the 

 storm, says : — " come boys, let us see what is to be done 

 within doors — our potatoes are to be cut, and prepared 

 for planting ; or fodder for the cattle and horses should 

 be got ready ; the straw cut," &c. 



Now, the bee acts on precisely the same principle. 

 Water is used in compounding the bee-bread, and fitting 

 it for the young bees. In the spring, when the weather 

 is cool, a few days' consumption can safely be made in 

 advance, and it is thus that I account for the more 

 abundant use of water on such occasions, as do not ad- 

 mit of the usual labors of the family being performed. 



WATER USED IN WET WEATHER ABUNDANTLY. 



Not only in windy weather, but also in rainy weather, 

 do bees make use of a more abundant supply of water 

 than usual. I have noticed almost the same rush to the 

 water-pan, on a damp day, when it did not rain enough 



