CULPABLE NEGLIGENCE OF COTTAGERS. 193 



morning about nine o'clock before my apiary, examining 

 the motions of the bees, when I perceived some bees enter 

 and depart from a hive, which I knew was empty, and 

 which had never been made use of. Anxious to know the 

 purport of their visit, I inspected the interior, and found 

 about a hundred bees, who ran about the hive, apparently 

 in great confusion. I was struck with thi ssingularity, with- 

 out being able to attach any particular cause to it. During 

 dinner, I was informed that a swarm was seen on the wing, 

 which was believed to come from one of my hives. Although 

 1 was certain that it did not belong to me, I could not 

 resist the pleasure of observing its flight. I had no sooner 

 arrived in my garden, than I saw it direct its flight to my 

 apiary. Recollecting the observation which I made in the 

 morning, I conjectured that tbey were going to take pos- 

 session of the empty hive. The case was really so ; and 

 two other apiarians afterwards informed me, that the same 

 occurrence had taken place amongst their hives *." 



We have known many keepers of bees lose their swarms 

 from a culpable negligence in providing themselves with 

 new hives. This neglect is unpardonable, and can only 

 result from a most niggardly disposition, or from direct 

 obstinacy. The cottager, after having suffocated his bees, 

 and extracted all the combs from the hive, throws the latter 

 aside, perhaps in some damp place, intending to place a 

 swarm in it in the following season ; during the winter, the 

 hive has been the harbour of the most noxious vermin, and 

 perhaps without even the trouble of cleaning it, the cottager 

 puts his swarm into it ; when, if the bees do not leave it from 

 disgust, they are gradually destroyed by the ravages of the 

 vermin. Circumstances may, indeed, sometimes combine to 

 thwart the precaution of even the most provident apiarian. 



* There is an old obsolete law in our statute book, which prohibits a per- 

 son, under a certain penalty, from placing an empty hive in his garden. This 

 law was no doubt founded on the probability of the swarms of other persons 

 taking possession of the empty hive, and thus the rightful owner was deprived 

 of his property. 



