270 
THE HIVE AND IIONEY-BEE. 
The evaporation* of its watery particles is the only well- 
marked change that honey appears to undergo from its 
natural state in the nectaries of the blossoms, and bees 
are very unwilling to seal it over until it has been brought 
to such a consistency that it is in no danger of becoming 
acid in the cells.f 
Even if cheap honey could be “ made over” by the 
bees so as to be of the best quality, it would cost the pro- 
ducer, taking into account the amount consumed (p. 71) 
iu elaborating wax, almost, if not quite, as much as the 
market price of white clover honey ; and, if he feeds his 
bees after the natural supplies are over, they will suffer 
from filling up their brood cells.} 
The experienced Apiarian will fully appreciate the 
* If a strong colony is put on a platform scale, it will bo found, during the height 
of the honey harvest, to gain a number of pounds on a pleasant day. Much of this 
weight, however, will bo lost In tho night from the evaporation of tho newly, 
gathered honey, tho water from which often runs in a stream from the bottom- 
board. Tho Rev. Levi Wheaton, of North Falmouth, Mass., is of opinion that von 
ti lotion will greatly aid the bees in evaporating tho water from their unsoalod 
honoy. The thorough upward ventilation which I now give to my hivos may, 
therefore, contribute to increase tho yield of honey. 
+ Aristotle notices this fact, which I once thought a discovory of my own. The 
remarks of this wonderful genius on the generation of bees show that ho appre- 
ciated tho difficulties which, until of late, have so much perploxed modern 
Apiarians. After discussing this topic, he says: “All pertaining to this subject 
has not yet been sufficiently ascertained; but, if it ever should be, then wo must 
place more confldenco in our observations than in our reasonings. Theory, how- 
ever, as far os it conforms to facta observed, is worthy of credit," Hove we not 
hero the inductive system as well guarded and as well expressed as evor it was by 
Bacon 1 
$ The following is my recipe for a beautiful liquid honey, which tho best judges 
have pronounced one of the most luscious articles they ever tasted : Put two 
pounds of the purost white sugar in as much hot water as will dissolve it ; take 
ono pound of strained whlto clover honey— any honey of good flavor will answer- 
ami add it warm to tho syrup, thoroughly stirring them togethor. As refined loaf 
sugar is a pure and inodorous swcot, ouo pound of honey will givo its flavor to two 
pounds of sugar, and the compound will bo froo from that smarting taste which 
pure honoy often has, and will usually agree with those who cannot eat tho latter 
with Impunity. Any doslrod flavor may be addod to it. 
Although no profit can be realizod from inducing beos to store this mixture in 
bores or glasses, tho amateur may choose, in bad seasons, or in districts whore the 
Honey is poor, to secure in this way cholco spocimous for his table. 
