l6l DISEASES. 



fudden tranfitions, than from a long conti* 

 nuance of froft. The milder the winter and 

 Jpr'ing have been, the fooner their ftore is ex- 

 haufted ; and if it was rather fhort at firft, 

 the fooner the ftock dies; or perchance it 

 may furvive till the latter end of May. 



The frequent failure of stocks has 

 in moil counties been attributed to witch- 

 craft, or other fuperflitious notions, in- 

 ftead of attributing them to their true caufe ; 

 badnefs of weather, or their owner's neglect, 

 or want ofcjkill, 



Thefe caufes operate alike in every ar- 

 ticle of hufbandry ; often blafting the fondefl: 

 expedtailom of the farmer. But he will not 

 be fo abfurd as to fuppofe that evil fpirits, or 

 witchcraft, have any power to fport with 

 mortals, or their property, at pleafure ; much 

 lefs that bees in particular fhould be victims 

 to their malice, more than fheep or cattle. 

 No ! he patiently fubmits to the Omnipotent 

 "Difpofer of all events, from the deftruction 

 of the ant-hill to the diflblution of mighty 

 empires. 



To fecure them from difeafes, it will be 



neceifary 

 4 



