PREFACE % 
running among the blooming buthes, and va- 
riegated flowers, to look after the young 
fwarms. When very young, he purchafed 
three hives, which he gradually increafed to 
a pretty large ftock, and has ever fince taken 
great pleafure, over and above every view of 
emolument, to ftudy the nature of thefe va- 
luable infects, and to inveftigate the caufes of 
their thriving and unprofperous ftates; their 
health and difeafes ; the beft means of preferv- 
ing the individuals, and of propagating and 
multiplying their induftrious race, with their 
management in every refpect. For this pur- 
pofe, he has perufed with avidity every book 
in the Englifh language, on the fubject, that 
he could get accefs to; and has {pared neither 
time, trouble, nor expence, (having beftowed 
much indeed of both, beyond what he could 
well afford,) in trying numerous experiments 
upon them.* 
a 2 But 
* So great was the author's curiofity, and enthufiaftic attach- 
ment to the ftudy of the nature and properties of thefe curious 
infe&ts, that, above twenty years ago, he went from Berwick- 
fhire to London, on purpofe to converfe with Mr Witpman on 
the fubje& ; but that gentleman happening te be in France at 
the time, he contented bimfelf with purchafing every book he 
could find on the management of bees, and has ever fince made it 
his 
