Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/256

226] to bud. These insects are thus conducted through the whole extent of Egypt, and, after having gathered all the rich produce of the banks of the Nile, are re-conducted home about the beginning of February.

In France, floating bee-hives are very common. One barge contains from sixty to a hundred hives, which are well defended from the inclemency of the weather. Thus the owners float them gently down the stream, while they gather their honey from the flowers along its banks; a single bee-house yields the proprietor a considerable income.

Their method of transporting bees by land, is also worthy of our attention. The hives are fastened to each other by laths, placed on thin pack-cloth, which is drawn up on each side, and then tied by a piece of pack-thread several times round their tops. In this state they are laid in a cart, which generally contains from thirty to fifty hives, and conveyed to places where the bees can collect honey and wax.

During the winter, bees are in so lethargic a state, that a little food is sufficient for their sustenance: but as every sunny day revives, and prompts them to exercise, food is necessary on these occasions. Some hives of bees which are supposed to have died of cold, have in reality perished by famine, especially when a rainy summer prevented them from collecting a sufficient store of provision. Hence the hives should be carefully examined in autumn, and ought then to weigh at least eighteen pounds each.

With respect to the feeding of bees, the common practice is, to leave them as much honey in autumn as will make the hive weigh twenty pounds. The honey should be diluted with water, and put into an empty comb, split reeds, or upon clean wool, which the bees will suck perfectly dry. By the dilution with water, however, the honey is apt to become candied, in which state it is prejudicial to the bees. A better method is, to replenish the weak hives in September, with such a portion of combs filled with honey taken from other hives, as may be deemed a sufficient supply. This is done by turning up the weak hive, cutting out the empty combs, and placing full ones in their stead, secured by pieces of wood, that they may not fall down when the hive is replaced. If this method be considered too troublesome, a plate of honey, unmixed with water, maybe placed under the hive, and straws laid across the plate, covered with paper perforated with several small holes, through which the bees will suck the honey without difficulty.

The degree of cold which bees can endure, has not been ascertained. In the cold parts of Russia, they are often found in hollow trees. Their hives are frequently made of bark, which does not afford them much protection. Hence Mr. observes, that bees which stand on the north side of a building, will not consume more than one-half of the honey necessary to supply others which stand in the sun. In winter, however, they should be examined; and if, instead of being clustered between the combs, they are found in numbers at the bottom of the hive, they should be carried to a warmer place, where they will soon recover. In winters extremely severe, lay on the bottom of an old cask the