DECLINE AND MORTALITY OF HIVES. 321 



ment of an apiary. The eradication of these prejudices 

 appears to be a hopeless task, and until that much desired 

 object can be obtained, it is useless to attempt to introduce 

 a better system of management of the bee amongst the 

 cottagers of this country. In vain have we shown the 

 prejudiced peasant that his interest would be promoted in 

 altering his system of management; for, unfortunately, the 

 notion immediately rises in his mind, that in the advice 

 which is given, there is some sinister motive lurking behind 

 it, and with the total rejection of all the rational arguments 

 that are used, he determines to adhere to his antiquated 

 system, although the visible decline and mortality of his 

 hives ought to be to him a most incontrovertible proof of 

 the fallacy of it. 



An unpropitious season will generally lay the foundation 

 of the mortality of many hives, and if two or three bad 

 seasons follow in succession, it is only the most unremitting 

 vigilance on the part of the proprietor that can save his 

 hives from destruction. It may, in a certain degree, be true, 

 that the fecundity of the queen is greater or less, according 

 to the badness or goodness of the season ; but whatever the 

 season may be, the breeding proceeds to a certain extent; 

 the drones, those greedy pensioners on the commonalty, 

 emerge from their cells in the month of March, and, conse- 

 quently, an extra supply of provisions is required to satisfy 

 their craving appetites. If, then, a season intervenes in which 

 the bees are prevented from gathering in their stock, at the 

 same time that the population of the hive is daily and hourly 

 increasing, a scarcity of provisions takes place ; want gene- 

 rally brings on a gradual weakness in the bees, and they 

 become at last wholly unable to endure the fatigue of their 

 daily labours, and perhaps die in the fields. A liberal 

 supply of food will invigorate and cherish them, but the 

 cottager cannot be brought to believe that any food ought 

 to be administered to his bees, when they have it in their 



