160 SUPERSTITION OF THE COUNTRY PEOPLE. 



purchased under fifteen shillings or a pound, whereas in the 

 more western and southern counties it may be obtained for 

 five or seven shillings— that is, if the cottagers can be in- 

 duced to sell them at all. There is a ridiculous superstition 

 prevalent amongst the country people, that it is unlucky 

 either to buy or sell a hive of bees. " I'll swap with you," 

 said a cottager to us in the vicinity of Chelmsford, from 

 whom we wished to purchase some hives, for the purpose 

 of establishing an apiary on account of the Apiarian Society, 

 "but," we answered, "we have not got anything to swap with 

 you." "Then," said the cottager, "go and buy something." 

 "We bought a pig, and obtained our hives. We are certain 

 that it would be a most profitable speculation to purchase the 

 swarms in the southern counties, and convey them to the 

 vicinity of London. We know of only one person, living at 

 Islington green, who professes to deal in bees. There cannot 

 remain a doubt that within the circumference of ten miles 

 from London, ample food and provision might be found for 

 2000 hives, and we do not suppose that 200 could be 

 mustered. 



It may be necessary to remark, that on lifting the pur- 

 chased hive from the platform for the purpose of removing 

 it, a number of bees will be generally found upon it, which 

 however must not be left behind. In this case, get two or 

 three small stones, and let the hive rest upon them ; the 

 wind passing through, will in a few minutes drive the bees 

 up into the hive, and the removal can then take place with- 

 out the loss of a single bee. 



