PREFACETO THE SECOND EDITION.
Sincethe first appearance of this little Treatise I am most happy in being able to state that Apiarian Science has in this neighbourhood and in the adjoining Counties, made very considerable advances, that the ridiculous notions, and foolish prejudices entertained respecting Bees, are fast wearing away—that theCottagersare generally managing them upon the depriving system, making them a real source of profit and of comfort, and that a number of influential persons are making themselves acquainted with the practical management of Bees, upon the simplest and most profitable methods, for the sole purpose of setting an example, and for qualifying themselves to give instructions in the management of them to their poor neighbours. Nor is this spirit of well directed benevolence confined to these Counties only, for at Oxford a Society is just formed to promote an improved and more extensive system of Bee management among the Cottagers by the diffusion of information on the subject, and theloanof hivesnot the gift, their cost to be repaid from the produce, and also to promote a more extensive and scientific knowledge concerning the Natural History and cultivation of Bees among the higher classes; the society I find is flourishing, a piece of ground has been taken and laid out as an experimental Bee-garden, there is already a very considerable number of stocks of Bees placed in it in common straw, and experimental hives. Subscribers pay half a guinea a year, and non-Subscribers a shilling each visit This is an example worthy of imitation.
I am just favoured with a letter from a Gentleman who has recently visited the above establishment giving me a certain and simple method of Autumnal union of weak stocks, which he there witnessed, but it comes too late to be embodied in this treatise the whole of that part being already in the press, still as I consider the union of weak stocks important, and Gelieu's method which I have given too troublesome for most persons, I will venture to give it in this place. "The process" he says, "is merelyfumigating the Beesfor which they have invented a tube much more simple than Nutt's which they insert into the mouth of the hive; under the hive is previously pushed either an empty one reversed, or a shallow box with a wide rim, this receives the stupified Bees; cut out the combs and remove all the remaining Bern from them that none be lost.Now take a little sugared ale and sprinkle it over them just as they are recovering, place upon them the hive to which they are to be united, this hive requires no sprinkling nor any fumigation, the Bees in the latter are soon attracted by we ale and go down into the hollow containing the fumigated ones licking them over, the whole are mixed and go up without the least disturbance, it is unnecessary to take any trouble about the Queen," he adds "I was assured that not a Bee would be lost" and he further says "upon my return home I tested it with entire success on some of my neighbour's Bees, it was the work of but a few minutes, and not the smallest danger. I left the hive placed upon the other all night, and the next morning every Bee had left the bottom one, more perfect quiet I never saw. I think there were nearly two quarts of Bees fumigated."
Puff-ball is generally recommended being the safest, mild tobacco answers very well, great caution, however, is required in its use, or the Bees may be killed. Common fumigating bellows, or even a tobacco-pipe may be used for this operation: After this discovery it will be absurd not to unite weak stocks, or to destroy a single Bee on taking up an old hive.
I have always considered the keeping of Bees and the advantages arising from them to be the undoubted privilege of the Cottagers and theirs alone, other persons may keep a few for amusement, or to endeavour to learn something of their natural history, but all should in my opinion be made subservient to the Cottagers' benefit.
The present season has been a most unpropitious one, especially in this neighbourhood, perhaps the most so that I remember, but I am disposed to think that this is not a favourable district for the collection of honey. I have frequently compared the produce of my own apiary with that of others at a distance, and this year especially, with that of a friend upon the Essex bank of the Stour, which I assisted in forming and have frequently visited, the quantity of honey obtained from this is small, but it is five times as much as that of any one in this neighbourhood consisting of the same number of stocks.
I cannot close this preface without acknowledging the very flattering manner in which my little treatise has been mentioned in various publications, and my thanks to the many correspondents it has obtained for me. The addition which I have been enabled to make to it, will I trust be acceptable and useful.
I still solicit information from any who will give it me, and am ready to impart it to all those who will ask it.
Bury Saint Edmund's,Oct, 11th, 1838.