40: Reasons for encreasing the number 
as Nature has amply fapplied them with food, 
and with powers to provide it for themfelves, 
they put their owners to Tittle or.no expence 
for that article; which cannot be faid of. any 
other of our fervants whatever.* ‘hy 
Thus, by following the above plan, with a 
little attention and exertion on the part of our 
landed gentlemen, fuch a number of bee-hives 
would foon be raifed all over the kingdom, 
that 
“* Here I have in view Scotland in general, as it has many 
hundreds of fituations where bees would thrive well, but where 
not a fingle flower is fown for that purpofe ; but even were this 
plan adopted, of rearing artificial flowers in thofe places, where | 
a fcarcity of natural flowers prevails, during part of the working 
feafon, in order to fupply that defeét, and thus afford the bees 
abundance of provifion at all times, ftill the expence would be” 
fo trifling, that it is fcarcely worth taking notice of ; as is alrea- 
dy hinted, p. 12, &e. for, fhould we plant fome trees, with a 
view to affift bees, we have their wood ; if we rear turnips, we 
have their feed ; if we fow white clover, we have the beft of paf- 
ture; and if we even allow furze or broom to overfpread wafte 
grounds, we can be at little lofs, as even thefe have alfo their 
ufes, by fupplying us with hedging, fuel, fhelter for theep, &c. 
I with not to be here underftood, as if I meant to recommend 
the fowing of large fields purpofely with food for bees, except- 
ing white clover, which provides food for larger animals: 
All that I intend is, that gentlemen, who have great ftocks of 
bees, and plenty of ground, may eafily {pare three or four acres, 
out of as many hundreds, for the rearing of turnips, pono 
furze, broom, &c, . 
