PASTURAGE, Jjj 



though continuing in bloom much longer. 

 As for instance* white clover. I have feen 

 fields of it covered with bees ; but in two 

 or three days they had not a fingle bee on 

 them, although continuing in bloom, and 

 the weather equally favourable. 



In very fcanty feafons of honey-gather- 

 ing, bees have been obferved to feed on 

 mellow goofeberries, and ripe faccharine 

 pears ; but I believe none was carried in for 

 ftore. 



Bees do not fly to fo great a diftance as 

 has been imagined for pafturage. The 

 hotter the weather, and greater the profu- 

 sion of flowers to be found on one fpot, 

 the farther they will be allured to fly, and 

 paflure thereon ; perhaps a mile, or a mile 

 and a half; but generally, it is moft pro- 

 bable, they do not exceed half a mile. When 

 it- is cool and windy, though they are fhort 

 of provifions, they will perifh rather than fly 

 beyond that diftance. Instances of this 

 I have feen in flocks in that condition, fitu- 

 ated in a large garden; which, on being 

 removed to the fide of a large common, not 



a mile 



