Chapter III: Preface: To the Third Edition

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In again revising this little work for the press, I am not at all disposed to increase its size; for were I to do so, I should very much take from it as a purely simple and practical treatise. Matter might easily be added; but were it not of a useful nature, the work would be rendered thereby less valuable, and the attempted improvement would turn out a positive injury.

The time which has elapsed since the publication of the last edition has, year by year, convinced me more fully of the advantages of this system, and of its adaptation especially to the Cottagers, and indeed to all those who wish to obtain a large supply of the finest honey at the least possible expense and trouble, giving at the same time, both to the amateur and to the naturalist, every facility in watching the economy of our little favourites.

Although, as I have already said, I am not disposed to increase the size of this little work, still, however, an Index, and a few practical hints, which have suggested themselves in the course of the last two or three years, will be found added to it.

The system, I am happy to say, is spreading far and wide amongst the Cottagers, not only in this but in many other counties, and the profits arising from their Bees are becoming a permanent source of comfort to many of them, as the quantity of fine honeycomb, which they exhibit at the various horticultural shows throughout the kingdom, fully proves.

The following Report which I have this day (June the 24th) received from a friend, living at Newmarket, shows what quantity of honey may be obtained from a hive in a good season, on the Depriving System, when both room and ventilation are properly supplied. And perhaps it may also prove an inducement to some persons to "keep bees" who hitherto have not, as well as a motive to perseverance on the part of those who already possess them. This gentleman had but two hives. No. 1 was allowed to swarm, No. 2. was not; No. 1. swarmed on the 29th of May, and has since very nearly filled two small hives. The swarm has also filled two small hives, and is now filling a third; a box has within a few days, been placed between the large hive and the small one, which in all probability, will be filled, should the weather continue dry and warm for another week; No. 2. which has not swarmed, has given already one small hive containing sixteen pounds, and another fourteen pounds of fine honeycomb, as is now filling _three_ other small hives as fast as possible.

Since receiving the above communication, I have witnessed the progress made by a single stock purchased last year by a beginner. His Apiary is at the extreme west point of this town, within a few paces of the place where the celebrated Apiarian, Mr. Geo. Hubbard kept his bees, and who, in 1791, received from the Society of Arts their gold medal, for his skilful management of them; this gentleman has now three excellent stocks, and has already taken a box of fine honeycomb of ten pounds, a small hive of fifteen pounds and two others are filling; and all the produce of an outlay of ten or twelve shillings less than a year ago, making, since that time a profit of very nearly seven hundred per cent.

I must not again take leave of my friends and the public, without expressing myself gratified by the very flattering and kind manner in which this little treatise has been noticed, both by the public journals as well as by private friends.

_Bury St. Edmund's,

July 2nd, 1846._

CONTENTS.

Chapter I.

PAGE

Situation of an Apiary and directions for placing the Hives

1

Chapter II.

Directions for Purchasing Bees

10

Chapter III.

Materials of which Hives should be made, and the Improved Cottage
Hive described

15

Chapter IV.

Method of placing the Small Hive, Box, or Glass, upon the Improved
Cottage Hive, by which means fine Honey may be obtained without
destroying the Bees

21

Chapter V.

Proper time for taking away the Box, and how to expel the Bees from
it

30

Chapter VI.

Method to be pursued in case a Swarm should leave the Hive, after
having commenced working in the Box

37

Chapter VII.

Method of uniting Second and Third Swarms

41

Chapter VIII.

Manner of uniting Swarms and Old Stocks in Autumn

(and page 5 of preface)

46

Chapter IX.

Manner of Feeding weak Stocks, and the time most appropriate for
this operation

54

Chapter X.

Food proper for weak Hives

58

Chapter XI.

Enemies of Bees, and means of overcoming them

61

Chapter XII.

Directions for Hiving Swarms: and the proper time for placing
glasses upon them

68

Chapter XIII.

Description of the Knife for cutting out the Combs

76

Chapter XIV.

Remedies, proposed as Cures, for the Stings of Bees

78

Chapter XV.

Means of preventing the Bees from being Stolen especially in the
Country

82

Chapter XVI.

Method of dislodging Bees from Trees or Buildings, and put them
into Hives

85

Chapter XVII.

Description of Nutt's Newly Invented Hive for obtaining the Honey
without destroying the Bees

89

Chapter XVIII.

The Apiarian's Monthly Manual, or Hints for the Management of Bees
for every month in the year upon the Depriving System

96

THE BEE KEEPER'S GUIDE.