THE farmer’s manual. 
207 
and in the West- Indies, and thus offers its labours to 
all classes of men without exception. The immor- 
tal Linneus. in .speaking of the Bee, says, “ It is not 
yet di tennine 1, if the Bees, and other insects, which 
feed on honey, occasion any injury to the little em- 
bryos, or cause any obstruction to their generation, 
by imbibing the nectar of the flowers.” Since it is 
so well known that the Bees afford such immense 
prolii to the cultivators, tvith so little expense and 
trouble, and without the least injury to the most deli- 
cate parts of the vegetable kingdom, it must be ow- 
ing to a want of knowledge, or a want of attention, 
that America derives so little share from the profits 
of this wonderful insect. 
CHAP. XXV. 
Directions for the purchase of Hives. 
There is no commodity in which a purchaser can 
be so easily deceived as in a hive of Bees, and it is 
only the experienced Apiarian who can detect the 
particular defects. The value of a hive can only be 
known by a minute and close examination of its inte- 
rior. If the exterior be sound, the interior may be 
bad ; the combs may be black and ill flavoured, which 
is always the case in old hives. When the age <of 
the hive is determined, (which may be known by tke 
number of queen cells,) and the hive is found free 
from moths and other enemies, the month of Februa- 
ry and March will l)o the best time to purchase, and 
the activity of the Bees, together with the weight of 
the hive, will give the best criterion. Hives pur- 
chased from a rlistance generally do best, not being 
so often obstructed in their labours, by losing their 
way, and returning to their old habitations. Swarms, 
when moved, do best, when carried by water, and in 
the evening. 
