420 APIARY AT BRIGHTON. 



wind, or destroyed by some of those other numerous ac- 

 cidents to which the bees are so liable. 



It has been ascertained, that the bees of an apiary, whose 

 fields of pasture are situate at a distance, are much shorter 

 lived than those, whose food is in the immediate vicinity ; 

 and this arises chiefly from two causes : first, the various dan- 

 gers to which their longer flights expose them ; and secondly, 

 to the wear and tear of their wings, which in the end become 

 so torn and lacerated, that the bees can no longer prosecute 

 their labours, and they either die in the fields, or from hunger 

 in the hive. We had a very striking proof of the truth of 

 the foregoing remarks in the establishment of a small apiary 

 in the vicinity of Brighton for the late Sir Thomas Clarges, 

 in whom we lost a truly enthusiastic advocate for the culture 

 of the bee*. The immediate environs of the town being 

 composed of mere down lands, little or no food could be 

 found for the bee?, with the exception of a scanty supply, 

 which could be gathered from the few straggling flowers 

 cultivated in the gardens in the immediate vicinity of the 

 place. The consequence of which was, that although the 

 bees contrived to gain a scanty subsistence, yet we could not 

 succeed in a single instance in obtaining more than one or 

 two pounds of honey from each hive, the bees being in the 

 Huish hive ; and even that small portion which was taken 

 from them was done at the risk of them perishing in the 

 winter for want of food. Finding the situation so very bad 

 for an apiary, we had the hives removed to a cottager's 



* We were sent by this truly eminent lover of science to his estates in Lin- 

 colnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Yorkshire, for the purpose of establishing 

 the culture of the bee amongst his tenantry, and we enjoyed every prospect of 

 success; when, unfortunately, his property being under trust, it was con- 

 sidered by the trustees, the late Bishop of Durham and Mr. Morland the 

 banker, that such a laudable attempt on the part of Sir Thomas was an un- 

 justifiable interference in the management of the estates ; and, therefore, we 

 received through their solicitor a polite intimation, that the knowledge of the 

 management of bees was by no means necessary to enable the tenants, and 

 particularly the cottagers, to pay their rent. 



