A profitable instruction of the perfite ordering of Bees
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcriber's note:
The final four chapters of the second Treatise, "Certaine husbandly
coniectures of dearth and plentie for euer," are absent. No known
copy of this edition is complete. Entries in the Table of Contents
referring to them have been removed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A profitable instruction
of the perfite ordering of
_Bees, with the maruellous nature_,
propertie, and gouernemente of
them: and the necessarie vses
both of their Honie and waxe,
seruing diuersly, as well in
inward as outward causes:
gathered out of the
best writers.
To which is annexed a proper Treatise,
intituled: Certaine husbandly coniectures
of dearth and plentie for euer,
and other matters also méete
for Husbandmen to
knowe. &c.
By _THOMAS HYLL_ Londoner.
_Imprinted at London, by_
Henrie Bynneman.
_ANNO_. 1579.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Authors out of the
which this Treatise is
gathered.
_C. Plinius._
_Aristotle._
_Albertus._
_M. Cato._
_Iunius Columella._
_M. Varro._
_Palladius Rutilius._
_Theophrastus._
_Guilhelmus de Conchis._
_Galen._
_Paule Aegineta._
_Cornelius Agrippa._
_Hieronimus Cardanus._
And sundrie others.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the worshipfull maister M.
Gentleman, Thomas Hill wisheth all
health and felicitie.
As it hath beene, and is yet (worshipfull Sir) a trade commonly vsed
among most men, to choose out from a greate number, some one, vnder
whose name and title they may publishe their workes: Euen so I
(following the steps of the learned, though in all other poyntes most
inferiour) hauing finished this little treatise of Bees, and casting
with my selfe to whome I mighte presente it, founde my selfe much
bounden vnto your worship, both for your gentlenesse which I haue of
late tasted, and also for youre friendship which I finde alwayes readie
towards me. And therefore hauing none other wayes to recompence the
least parte of youre curtesie and gentlenesse, thought it best to
gratifie youre worship with such a simple gifte as mine abilitie will
suffer me to bestow on such a friend. And although Sir this Treatise is
farre dissonant from youre studyes, yet considering your earnest desire
to knowledge and learning, and agayne pondering the pleasantnesse of
the matter, thoughte this might be made a recreation for your grauer
studyes. For when your mind shall bee searching for profound reasons,
and oppressed with deepe cogitations, then taking and reading this
little Pamphlet, it will bring a forgetfulnesse vnto your former
weerynesse, and cause a newe delighte vnto your mind: For heerein may
you see, first the maruellous gouernement of the Bees, through the
onely instincte of nature, as in theyr obedience to their King, and
other officers, in punishing the ydle loyterers, in cherishing the true
labourers in theyr manner of fighting, with suche like a greate many,
as it is wonderfull to reade, and almost vncredible to beleeue:
secondly, the liuely effectes and commodities that arise of theyr Honie
and Waxe. And lastly, howe profitable they are for common wealth, and
howe necessarie for mans vse, I mighte heerespeake muche in the prayse
of the Bee, which all I will omitte, seeyng onely myne intente is to
shewe my selfe myndfull of your good turnes and benefites, desiring you
to take this in good parte, whyche proceedeth from a well willing
minde. And I am sorie that at this presente I had none other matter
more worthy to haue gratified your worship withall: but that whiche
wanteth in power, aboundeth in good will. Thus troubling your worship
no longer, I commit you to the keeping of the Almightie, praying him to
increase in you all vertue and godlynesse, and to grant you the long
yeares of Nestor.
_Yours most bounden
Thomas Hill._
[Illustration]
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The Preface into the instruction
of Bees.
Although (gentle Reader) I haue not given thee anye labour of mine
owne, but rather haue collected the sayings and writings of manye
aunciente authours, yet I trust they shall be well accepted of thee
without offence. For as he that setteth forth vnto the view & reading
of all men such knowledge, as by his long study & experience he hath
gotten, is worthy to haue his due reward of commendation: euen so he is
not to be discommended, who painfully reuoluing the bookes and volumes
of many and diuers ancient writers, reduceth them into one little
Treatise, for the commoditie and profyte of the simple and vnlearned
sorte, for whose onely sakes I haue trauelled in the translation of
this worthy matter, touching the right vsage and handling of Bees: a
thing very rare, and seldome seene in the Englishe tongue, and yet
verie profitable for a common wealth, and commonlye vsed among the
poore husbandmen, though not in euery poynt as they ought to be, yet
according to theyr knowledge and experience. But I, to the intente that
a further learning mighte be added to their skill, haue so trauelled
therein, that I trust their knowledge shal be increased, & such as haue
no knowledge at all, may be instructed without any other teaching. I
haue ioyned this little Treatise vnto my booke of Gardening, for that
most men do ioyne them both togither, as when they place their Bees in
their Gardens, whereas they may with lesse paine and easilier, gather
of the sweete smelling flowers, their Honie, and Waxe. And for all
these my paynes gentle Reader, I craue nought else of thee, but to giue
me that which of dutie in a maner I ought to haue, for if thou doest
receyue any commoditie or fruite eyther by this, or by my other
Treatise hereto annexed, whiche hathe to name the Husbandly
coniectures, with sundry rules of Phisicke, then giue me the reward of
thy good report, and friendly accepting of these two Treatises, and if
not, yet accept mine endeuours in good part, which be meant to do thee
good. And thus leauing (gentle reader) to trouble thee farther, I
commit thee to God, who giue thee the furtherance of knowledge, both in
these and all other needefull artes.
(∵)
[Illustration]
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A necessarie Table setting forth the
contents of these two Treatises.
_These treated of in the first Treatise._
Why Bees are named to be crested or parted Cap.j.
betweene, or as it were ringed or rather
pleighted: what worke the swarme new gathered in
the Hiue firste taketh in hande: and whether they
may liue after their stings be gone.
Who first taught the preparation and increasing of cap.ij.
Bees, and found out the vse of honie.
How Bees do naturally ingender. cap.iij.
Of the vnperfit Bees, which men properly name cap.iiij.
drone Bees.
Whether the Bees draw breath, or haue any bloud in cap.v.
them.
Of the great vtilitie and profit of the Bees vnto cap.vj.
mans vse.
Of the care and diligence of the Bees. cap.vij.
Of the maruellous gouernement of the King of honie cap.viij.
Bees, and of the obedience which they vse to hym.
What kind of Bees be best, and rather to be cap.ix.
chosen.
Where the Hiues of Bees ought especially to be cap.x.
placed.
What things Bees do chiefly abhorre, and greatly cap.xj.
hate.
By what signes men may knowe when the honie Bees cap.xij.
are diseased, and how men may cure them.
What maner of person the keper of the Bees ought cap.xiij.
to be.
By what meanes the swarme come forth, may be cap.xiiij.
preserued from flying away.
Of the Bees new settled in a swarme togither, and cap.xv.
taken and recouered againe.
Which are the best and fittest hyues for the honie cap.xvj.
Bees.
Of the cleanlinesse and sweetenesse of the keeper cap.xvij.
of Bees, and howe hiues ought to be fenced about,
and prepared within.
How Bees lacking honie may be fed in that present cap.xviij.
neede.
How the dead Bees may be restored to life againe. cap.xix.
Of the battell that Bees sometime haue within cap.xx.
themselues.
How Bees lost, may be recouered and found againe. cap.xxj.
That the Bees sting no person comming neere to cap.xxij.
their hiues.
When and how the hiues ought to be gelded. cap.xxiij.
What the honie is, and how from the hiues the same cap.xxiiij.
may be prepared to vse.
Which honie is accounted best. cap.xxv.
Of the venomous honie, and of the wonderful hony cap.xxvj.
of Creta.
Of the miraculous worthinesse of honie. cap.xxvij.
How profitable the vse of honie is in medicine. cap.xxviij.
Of the drinke of hony whiche they call the Mulse cap.xxix.
water, or sweete water of the Romaines.
Of the drinke _Oenomel_, which is made of pure cap.xxx.
wine & hony.
Of the singular water of hony gotten by order of cap.xxxj.
distillation.
Another maner of distilling the hony more at large cap.xxxij.
taught.
The maner of distilling a water of hony named the cap.xxxiij.
Quintessence.
The maner of drawing and making waxe of the cap.xxxiiij.
combes.
What waxe is best allowed, &c. cap.xxxv.
Of the great commoditie and benefite of waxe in cap.xxxvj.
medicines.
Of that whiche is a stay of the combes, and made cap.xxxvij.
for a defence of Bees.
How to make waxe white. cap.xxxviij.
How to make red waxe. cap.xxxix.
How to draw a profitable oyle out of waxe for cap.xl.
sundry vses.
Another way of drawing the oyle of waxe most cap.xlj.
noble, and dothe maruellously help the cold goute,
the sciaticke, the swelling of the legges, and all
other griefes of a colde cause.
_These described in the other Treatise._
Certaine Husbandly coniectures of dearth & plenty cap.j.
for euer.
An euerlasting Prognostication of the state and cap.ij.
condition of euery yeare, by the only calends of
Ianuary, written by the ancient & learned _Leopol.
Aust._ & other for the commodity of the wise
husbandmen.
How to foreknow the state of the yeare by the only cap.iij.
rising of the dog starre, out of the husbandrie of
_Diophanes_.
Other profitabl instructions, right necessary for cap.iiij.
husbandmen to know.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
¶ The firste Treatise setteth foorthe the
_strange gouernment, propertie, and benifite_
of the Bees, with the commoditie of their Hony
and Waxe, whiche serue vnto many good vses, as well
_in outward as inwarde causes applied, gathered out of_ Plinie,
Albertus, Varro, Columella, Palladius,
Aristotle, Theophrastus, Cardanus,
Guilielmus de Conchis, Agrippa,
and diuers other singular
Authours.
¶ Why Bees are named to be creasted or parted betweene,
or as it were ringed, or rather pleighted. What work the
swarme newe gathered in the Hiue, first taketh in hande,
and whether they maye liue after their stings bee gone.
Cap.first.
_Plinie_ nameth Bées Cleft beasts, bicause of the diuision or parting
betwéene of the head & shoulders: and _Aristotle_ nameth them plighted
or ringed, in that their bodies are diuided with plightes and rings.
And most men know, that the Bées haue neyther sinews, bones, fleshe,
gristle, backe-bone, nor fat, but are only created of a certaine
mixture, being a meane betwéen these, and hauing a very few intrailes.
And againe, no man néedeth to doubte, but that the Bées be a kinde of
beasts, greatly to be set by for mans vse, & for mans prouision, are
nourished of the aire, passing throughe the diuided places, which they
by great diligence and care preserue from being stopped, for as soone
as they be stopped, they shortly after die, like as the same we may
learne, when anye happeneth to fall or light into Oyle, which straight
way after die, throughe the Oyle stopping then their powers. They haue
and fly with foure wings, that they maye the better carrye in their
bellies the stings of reuengement. For when two of them striue togither
in flight, then do they hold and kéep their stings in their mouths by a
gréedy desire, or for eagernesse sake. Now after the seauen starres
named _Vergiliæ_, be once risen in sight aboue our horizon, then do
they hyde them in their proper holes, so that they go seldome after
abroade, vntill the Beanes doe bud, and if they happen to beginne at
any tyme to flye abroade when as a fayre daye moueth them forwarde,
then slacke they no suche dayes afterwarde, but occupy themselues. And
firste they prepare and make their combes, which they fashion into apt
houses, or rather celles of waxe, after this they haue yong, and then
beginne they to gather hony. They liue also the longer by hauing their
stings, for that once gone, or taken away, they dye forthwith through
the lacke of their intrailes, whiche they lose togither with their
stings.
¶ Who first taught the preparation and increasing
of Bees, and founde oute the vse of
Honny. Cap.ij.
The reporte goeth, that one _Aristomachus_ first founde out and taught
the increasing of Bées, whome _Plinie_ writeth to be so earnest in the
same, that setting apart al other affayres, he only studied night & day
how he might best intreate and vse Bées, according to their kinde. But
others ascribe this inuention to one _Thassius_, who (as they saye)
deserued no lesse commendation, both for his diligence and skill among
Bées: but this he specially followed in the fielde, and that farre from
the Towne. And of this the common people (as by a nickname) no more
named him _Thassius_, but _Agrius_, for his wilde or rather straunge
life, whiche he then led in the fielde, Whome _Plinie_ also affyrmeth
to haue written a Booke of the increasing and multiplying of Bées. And
_Columella_ ascribeth this inuention, to the inhabitaunts of the hill
(named _Hymetus_) being in the Countrey of _Attica_, for there (saieth
he,) was one _Ericthonius_, who taught (as men write) the true and
perfect ordering of them. _Plinie_ againe ascribeth the inuention of
Hony to one _Aristeus_ a man of _Athens_. _Diodorus Siculus_ in the
sixte Booke of hys workes, writeth, that _Curetes_, a people of
_Creta_, did firste finde out the Hony, _Macrobius_ ascribeth the same
to one _Saturnus_. Others to the _Thessalians_. And many to _Melissus_,
an auntient King of _Creta_, others to _Nassus Liber Pater_, thus
writing, that _Liber_ hath obtayned the renowne for finding out of
Honnye.
¶ How Bees do naturally engender. Cap.iij.
Firste the Bées procéede of Bées, by the actuall doing togyther, after
whiche they lay egges, sitting vppon them, as the Hens do on their egs.
And when they haue sit on them for the space of .xlv. daies, then do
they hatch their yong ones, whiche yong (at the first) come forth, much
like to white Worms, except the King, who onely as he is hatched, hath
wings. At the firste time, one of them hatcheth fiue young togither,
the nexte time fewer, and so fewer & fewer, vntill she commeth to one
at a time, bicause the abundaunce whiche is in them, dothe in the
continuaunce of time weaken. In the time of their sitting they make
muche noise to gette them heate withall. And aboute the sides of the
combes, be sometimes greater Bées bred, which men for their sound &
noise do properly name Trumpeters, and they also haue whole hornes, of
which come the bastarde Bées. There be also other Bées bigger in body,
muche-like to the Kings, but they be ydle, and haue no sting, bicause
of the heauinesse of their body. All which kindes, _Guilielmus de
Conchis_ didde obserue in the Hyues of a certaine Consull of Rome,
whiche properly were made of verye thinne and cleare horne. Some write,
that Bées are also engendred and bredde monstrously, and that contrary
to Nature, without the mutuall coniunction, if that a whole calfe be
buried in the earth, and there lye rotting whiles the wind blow out of
the Weste, for by that meanes, as writeth _Maro_, doth the same bréede
Bées. And not vnlike to this doeth _Cornelius Agrippa_ in his firste
Booke _de Occulta Philosophia_, and _Hiero. Cardanus_ in hys ninth
booke of Subtilties write, that of a rotten horse do waspes procéede:
of an Asse, Humble bées: of a Mule, hornettes: of the haire of a woman
(hauing then hir motherly courses) Serpents: and of Creuisses (the
shelles plucked off,) Scorpions.
¶ Of the vnperfect Bees, which men properly name
Drone Bees. Cap.iiij.
The Drone Bées (as writeth _Plinie_) are vnperfect Bées, without sting,
and the least weary, yet be they verye heauy of body, and slow in doing
their businesse. They also doe the seruices and trauells of the true
Bées, although the right and perfect Bées doe rule and gouerne them,
yea and put them formost in their laboures, so that if they happen to
be slow in their doings, then doe the right Bées punish them without
pitie. Also these doe helpe the right Bées, so well in their workes as
in their bréeding, for that the multitude of them, cause the more heat
and warmeth togither. And howe muche the greater the multitude of them
shall be, and so muche more will the increase come of the swarme. When
the hony waxeth ripe, then are the Drone Bées driuen forth, and the
kinde also of these are onely séene abroade in the Spring time.
¶ Whether the Bees drawe breath, or haue any bloud
in them. Cap.v.
Now some affyrme, that the clouen beasts draw no breth, in that they
haue not the fan of the hart, which is the lights or lungs, for as they
write, nothing without them can breath. But _Aristotle_ writeth, that
the same is possible among Bées, hauing the sting (although they haue
no bladder) to breath by their sting. And the Bées haue no bloude,
bicause they haue neither hart nor lungs: yet _Plinie_ affirmeth, that
nothing done by nature may be thought or iudged incredible: for the
same is fully persuaded in wise men, that the Bées haue a certain
liuely moisture, like as the Cuttle in the Sea, which hath a kinde of
ynke in it, and is as the iuyce of it, with the whiche the Diers (at
this day) do make their Purple colour.
¶ Of the great vtilitie and profite of the Bees vnto
mans vse. Cap.vj.
A great profite ariseth by Bées, if they be set in a conuenient and fit
place, and that both carefully & wisely guided, as _Plinie_ writeth in
his xj. booke, where he willeth, that of al other clouen beastes, the
Bées to bee principallye cherished, bicause to mans vse they gather a
subtile and wholsome iuyce, beyng very swéete, and besides they frame
by a maruelous skill and cunning, theyr cotages of waxe vnto mans vse,
that no workman (be he neuer so ingenious) can do the like. The profite
also comming by them in a short time, if the weather hindereth not, is
so greate, that they increase in a shorte time into manye swarmes,
which swarmes againe increase others, so that the firste swarmes
increased, they especially thrust forth from them in the moneth of May,
or Iune, by whych meanes they cause a great increase of them. As
_Varro_ affirmeth the same of two head Gentlemen in Spaine, which only
by the means of their Bées, gayned yerely ten thousand pound (but I
rather thinke fiue thousand pounde, which also is very muche) yet here
is to be noted, that the swarmes of syxe yeares olde, doe seldome
encrease after other swarmes of themselues, although in waxe they giue
a great yéelde and gayne to the owners.
¶ Of the great care and diligence of the Bees. Cap.vij.
First certain Bées as the skilfull practisers do write, stand in the
day time at the mouthes of the Hyues, diligently loking to their
businesse, like warders placed at the gates of a Castel, that they maye
so defend in safegarde whom they will within. In the night time they
setle themselues to rest vnto the morning, vntil one of them by humming
twice or thrice about, doeth so styrre them forward to flye out after
the other. For if they happen to kéepe themselues in the morning within
the Hyues, then doth the same declare a tempest to insue that daye. But
being a cleare and fayre morning, then do they flye forth and returne
againe to their Hiues, laden with the substaunce of the floures on
their legges, for their businesse, and this especiallye doe the yonger
Bées, so that the other Bées besides do eyther carrye the water in
their bils, or on the soft mossinesse of the whole bodie. The elder
Bées remayning still within, do also folow their businesse, as in
diligently laying vp, and aptly dressing the same, as they wold dispose
their kindely foode. Such as be sluggish & not labouring they
diligently note, which for their sluggishnes, they bitterly punish to
death.
And flying abroade in a mightye winde, they maruelouslye stay and guyde
themselues, by waying their bodyes down with little stones, caryed in
their legges. They at the euening comming to rest, do make lesse and
lesse noyse in the hyue, vntill one of them flyeth about, which by a
like order as he moued them forewarde in the morning, euen so by the
same noyse and humming doth he procure them to take their rest, and to
be all silent within the hiue. If the Bées happen to scatter in their
flying abroade, then do they call and gather them togither into a
swarme, by the helpe of making a shrill sounde, eyther with pan or
bason, or other loude cymball. They also followe their king whether
soeuer he taketh his flight, who beyng wearie, and not further able to
flie, they carrye hym betwéene them.
Wherfore that the king may not often attempte forth with the swarme,
for feare of loosing them, the skilful practisers wil, the wings of the
kings be broken off. Whiche féeling himselfe thus depriued of his
wings, will not after attempt to flye forth of his boundes, but
remayning still within, will so cause the other Bées to abide
continually with him, not leauing the Hiue at any time after. They also
haue counsels priuily and rulers among them.
And _Aristotle_ declareth the Bées to be the clenlyest amongst all
other beastes, bycause in flying abroad, they shed then their dung from
them, leaste anye sauour or stincke of their dung be felte in their
cotages or hoales. If these want honny at anye time, then doe they
eyther kill, or driue quite away the drone Bées.
¶ Of the maruellous gouernement of the kings of honny
Bees, and of the obedience which they vse to
him. Cap.viij.
Nature hath not onlye committed hir lawes to bookes, the which men may
lerne by, but hath especially set forth conditions and properties, as
for an example of the lyke, by the bées, whose kings for doubt of
reuenging, haue by the prouidence of nature no stings. Whereby is to be
vnderstanded, that the kings ruling in power, thorough the lacke of
their stings maye be by that meanes the slower to hurt, and offer
reuengemente. Yet some affirme the kings to haue stings, but they
suppose them not to vse their stings. And of this _Plinie_ maketh a
doubt whether the king be armed as the other bées, or lacketh a sting.
Which _Columella_ putteth out of doubt, writing of the king that he
hath no sting, vnlesse any perhappes thinketh that big head as it were,
whiche the king carrieth in his belly, to be his sting, with the which
at no time they vse to sting or hurt anye. This king only do Bées
reuerence, and honor him in such sort, that any of them is obedient and
very ready at his bidding, to do whatsoeuer he assigneth them vnto.
Also this obedience and seruice whiche they vse to their king, they do
not the same for feare of punishment, but onely of a loue which they
owe vnto him. Yet they punish one another in such sorte, that after
their stings be lost, they dye forthwith. _Aristotle_ writeth of two
maner of kings, the one as he affirmeth to be red, which he iudgeth the
better, the other king black of colour, which he confesseth to be
lesser of body, yet howsoeuer the kings be, they are notwithstanding
far bigger of body, than the honny bées, & haue a brighter and goodlier
head then the other Bées, yet shorter wings. So that their king created
among them, goeth not any time forth of the hiue, without the whole
swarm folow him. The king flying forth of the hiue at anye time, the
other folow him, in such sort, that eche couet to flie next him, &
ioyeth to be séen of the king in office, and whersoeuer the king
settleth him or resteth, there be other Bées placed like strong holds
or castels about him. About the king also be placed certaine rulers,
which wayte vpon him by a dayly aucthoritie, If anye happeneth, as
writeth _Plinie_, to breake of the kings right wing, then from the king
will not the swarme after departe, as the like was rehearsed afore.
Besides these, the Bées haue a maruelous order among them, if their
king happen to die, for then they shal bitterly mourne for their king
deade, and for the lacke of another, as such whiche cannot be guided
and ruled without a king among them, and of this they be in continuall
mourning. So that for the time, they carry no foode into theyr Hyues,
nor flye not forth, but with a sadde bewailyng and humming, after theyr
King, they heape thicke togyther aboute the deade body, and vnlesse
another King increaseth by little and lyttle among them, they dye for
hunger. Theyr king laboureth not, but as the other flye foorthe, hee in
the meane tyme as an exhorter moueth and encourageth forwarde euerye
one to hys worke, by his flying aboute in the Hiue.
¶ What kinde of Bees are beste, and rather to
be chosen. Cap.ix.
In this point, & for true knowledge of these, doth _M. Varro_ discribe
those Bées to be best, which be small of body, and diuerse and round,
bycause they be earnest in labour, and make a thinne honny, and better
endure labour, and gather their honny on hilles, but the worser Bées
gather their honny of the garden floures onlye, whiche be somewhat long
of bodye, lyke to waspes. _Virgil_ doth especially commend the small
Bées, beyng somwhat long, light, and clenly in their businesse, and
glistering to golde. So that the greater and rounder Bée, is
discommended of all writers. Although the fierce Bées are very ill, yet
is their yrefulnesse, a note of the better Bées, whiche may easily be
appeased, by the daylye haunting among them, for if the kepers do often
handle the Hyues, then do they become gentle in a short time.
The Bées also endure if they be diligently loked vnto, for the space of
ten yeares, and beyonde this age no swarme can passe, althoughe the
kéepers supplye the Hyues yearelye with yong Bées, in the steade of the
olde deade, for in the tenth yere, in a manner, of the generall death
of them, the vniuersall kinde of the whole Hyue is then consumed. And
therefore, that thys maye not happen throughe all the Hyues in that
place you must alwayes increase your Hyues with yong Bées, which
diligently Hyue in the springtime, or beginning of Sommer, when as the
swarmes be first and newe thrust forth of the Hiues, and so maye the
number of your Hiues be encreased. Agayne some wryte, that in the
Countrey of _Pontus_, the beste Bées bée white, bycause they gyue theyr
yéelde of Honnye twyce in a moneth. And _Gulihelmus de couchis_
affirmeth the beste Bées to be aboute _Thermodoon_ in _Capadocia_,
abyding in the Earthe, for that these doe buylde and make a tryple
yéelde of waxe, and giue also aboundaunce of Honny.
The foresayde _Varro_, affirmeth those Bées to be in healthe, which
often kepe and be in a swarme togither, that be clenly & can do their
businesse and worke alike, and that quicke & light in the same, beyng
neyther hearie nor foule of body, or appearing dustie, such also which
be not ouerleane of body, and that out of any of their cotages no dead
bées be carried thence, & forth of their Hiues. For all these notes do
declare suche like Bées, to be both euill and vnprofytable. _Palladius_
declareth, that the best Bées may be knowen by the fulnesse or
emptinesse of their vessels, for if the Hiues be full, then those Bées
doth he best commende, if the Hiues be nothing so full stuffed, those
Bées doeth he greatly dissalowe. And he also praiseth those Bées,
whiche excelleth or passeth others in the loudnesse of humming, or do
abound in the great haunte of the swarme, not broughte to the Hiues
from farre places, so that there maye be such agrement, that they be
not after feared awaye, with the newnesse of the aire and place.
¶ Where the Hiues of Bees ought especially to be
placed. Cap.x.
_Aristotle_ willeth the Hiues of Bées in the winter time to be placed
in a warme place, and in the hotte season of Sommer, in a colde place.
_Palladius Rutilius_ in his firste Booke of husbandrie teacheth that
the fittest place for bées, is that, whiche is in a Garden, not farre
or rather neare to the owners house, which by that meanes suffereth not
the windes, nor the accesse of théeues or beastes.
Which also nourisheth Trées growing on the Northside of the place, the
better to defend the cold ayre from them, & cleare springs or faire
riuer water running by. _Columella_ willeth the Hiues to be set open
toward the south, far from noyse, & haunte of people and beastes,
neyther in a hote nor colde place, for eyther of these do molest and
harme the bées. Also that the hyues stande in the bottome of a valley,
or if not so possible, then placed neare to the valley, the better and
easier for the Bées to bring their foode gathered to their hiues, and
in anye case farre from stincking puddels, ditches, dung-heapes, and
such like filthy stinckes, which greatly annoye and endamage the bées
beyng neare hande to their hiues, _M. Varro_ writing in his second
booke vnto a huswife of the countrey, willeth hir also to set the Hiues
close to hir house, and vnder some shed, & that far from the noyse of
formes, whiche is mente from a groue or wood, leaste through the woodde
or groue neare hande, the same may giue a sounding noyse, like to that
whiche men commonlye name the Eccho, whiche sounde in verye déede the
Bées do greatly hate. _Virgil_ willeth bushie trées to be planted and
stand right before their hiues, like as the Peare trée is, the Peach
trée, the Oake trée, many kyndes of Apple trées, the birche trée, Holy
trée, the Iuy trée also, not allowed for his goodnesse, but bycause the
same giueth out muche honny, and al other trées which beare no bitter
floures. And he willeth these plantes and hearbes to grow neare hande,
as the Rosemary, the red and damaske Rose, the white Lillie, the
Violets, the Flouredeluce, the Organye, the Time, the running Time, the
Sauery, swéete Maiorome, the Saffron floure, which coloureth the honny
and maketh it smel swéete, the beane floures, the French beane floures,
the Mellylot floures, the hearbe Baulme, the white Poppie floures, the
Bitonie floures, the Borage and Buglosse floures, and manye other
swéete and wholesome floures, not here named. But the Boxe trée, the
Masticke trée, the dogge or Gatten trée, or as some suppose the long
and high Chéeri trée they greatly hate, for that tasting of the floures
of anye of these, they die forthwyth. _Maro_ wylleth standing waters,
to be neare to their hiues, & so shallow, that smal stones thrown into
them, may appeare aboue the water, & serue in stéede of bridges for
their often recourse to them, & that they may aptly stretch their wings
abroad on the stones, at the heate of the sun. The standings for hiues
ought to be thrée foote distant from the ground, & wittily stopped
about with red clay, least vermine, and Myse créepe into the hiues, and
spoyle the honny combes. The Hiues also oughte to be set a little
asunder the one from the other, least by loking into them, you shake
one another by cleauing togither, and so disquiet the bées nexte to,
which feare al manner of shaking least the same throw not downe their
weake workes of waxe. And the mouthes of the hiues ought to stand
somwhat stiper than the back part, leaste rain beating in, might not
lightly run out again by their entry or hole. For remedy of the which,
some make a couer ouer theyr hole the better to kéepe off the weather &
raine. And no manner of heate so much harmeth them, as doth the bitter
cold, & for this the faces of hiues ought to be toward the winter
rising of the sun, that the Bées may so receiue the warme comfort, in
the morning comming forth, & be the liuelier, for colde doth cause them
to be sluggish, and for that cause their holes ought to be very narrow,
that as little colde as is possible, may enter into them, and so
narrowe made, that the Bées within may receiue the encrease but of one
Bée at once, For by that meanes can neither the Béetil, butterflie, nor
great moath enter, to annoye them. Besides for their often recourse
home, _Maro_ willeth to make two or thrée commings into the hiue,
somewhat distant asunder.
¶ What things Bees doe chiefly abhorre, or greatly
hate. Cap.xj.
To bées, is that (named the Eccho) vngratefull or much displeasing,
which as _Plinie_ writeth, doth greatly fear them, through the straunge
sounde rebounding againe, and the miste also doth muche molest and
trouble them, besides the spinner through hir web hanging downe before
the Hiue, and the sluggishe butterflie (which _Plinie_ nameth
dishonorable) that is two wayes pestiferous, as the one, when he
spoyleth the waxe, and dungeth within the Hiue, and the other, breading
Magottes or little wormes within the combes. They greatly hate oyle,
like as all the kindes of the other Bées doe, and a stinking sauoure,
which euidently appeareth by that kind of herbe named Mugworte, that
they especially hate, bycause the same is of a strange stincke to them.
The hornettes also of the like sorte creast, but bazer of kynde, they
greatlye feare, for that to the Hornets the Hony Bées are a speciall
foode. Also they be meate to swallows, to sparrowes, and to all other
small byrdes.
The frogs besides, they do greatly feare, which only lye in waite for
them, both in Marishes, running springs, shallowe waters, and little
ditches, and the like doe the Toades lye in wayte for the Bées, whiche
destroye manye of them. And the shéepe doe greately trouble the Honnye
Bées, if so be they happen to fall or lighte into the Wooll of theyr
backes, out of whyche, they cannot easylye wynde or gette themselues
againe.
And if any happeneth to boyle or seathe Riuer Creauisses, or sea
Crabbes neare to the Hiues, and that the Bées féele the sauour therof,
they die forthwith.
¶ By what signes men may know, when the hony
Bees are diseased, and how men may cure
them. Cap.xij.
This is a speciall argument and note, that the Bées, are diseased, if
that they fly scattering in the swarme, if they kéep not their proper
colour, but be (as it were) of a strange and contrarie colour: if they
also are ouer leane, if they appeare dustie and hairy, and that out of
their cottages bée dead Bées carryed thence. When al these notes and
signes are espied in the Bées, it is then highe time to séeke remedye
for them, leaste helpe (by longer running) be sought too late. Therfore
_Palladius_ willeth to minister the kernels of _Pomegranats_, brused
and mixed with swéete and pleasaunt Wine, and the same powred into the
chanels or gutters of halfe canes, set nere to the mouths of hiues, or
honny, with Rose leaues well beaten togither, and so ministred to them,
or the berries of the Saruice trée brused, and mixed with Honny: for
lacke of these helpes, a man may make a smoake of drie Oxe or Cowe
dung, whiche smoake muche delyghteth and comforteth them, so that the
same be often vsed vnto Haruest.
But if throughe the Maggots or little wormes of the Butter-flyes the
Bées be diseased, _Rutilius_ then iudgeth it beste, to set a brasen
Candlesticke, or suche like vessell, with lighte burning in it at
Euening, within the hyue, that to the same light (the Butter-flyes
gathering, and flying about) may so fall down into it, and be destroyed.
_Aristomachus_ writeth, that the diseased Bées maye bée couered in this
maner, if that all the corrupt combe within the hiue be taken forth,
and freshe foode anewe put in of the whole, and the hiue after smoaked
within. Also he affyrmeth, that Rosemarie sodden with water and honny
togither, and beyng colde, poured into halfe canes or Elder stickes,
made hollow like gutters, and the same set by the mouthes of the hiues,
for the Bées to drinke on, doth recouer the Bées again. _Hyginius_
affirmeth that eyther the Oxe or mans vrine set in like manner (as
aboue saide) by the mouths of the hyues, doth also recouer the diseased
Bées. Nowe all these, and suche like muste the kéeper of the Bées doe,
whiche is bothe sober and chaste, and féedeth not vppon sowre or tarte
meates, nor filthy or strong of sauour, nor any salt meates.
¶ What manner of person, the keeper of Bees
ought to be. Cap.xiij.
The Bées for that they muche abhorre all filthye stinkes and smells,
_Palladius_ willeth the kéeper of them to eschewe dilligently al strong
and yll smelling sauoures, one also that delighteth to be chaste of
body, and frée from filthinesse, among these not breathing sowrely, or
of a stinking breath, not sweating, nor sauouring of sweat, not one
besides of wicked conditions, or suche a person as standing among the
flight of the Bées, doth not earnestly moue and procure them to fly to
him, or as one stinged endeuoreth to defend himselfe from them, but
rather as a flatterer among his acquaintance, and children, hath
learned to entreate, and please the Bées by a more gentle manner. He
also whiche mindeth to haue also in a readinesse the hiues vnto his
vse, in which he may receiue forthwith the rude youth of the swarmes
put forth, which if they be not diligently preserued, they flye quite
awaye at the full heate of Sunne. But how these hiues ought aptly to be
prepared, shall hereafter bée taught in the sixtéenth Chapiter.
If the Dorre Bées, or Bées without sting, be ouer manye in the Hiue,
and that you woulde gladly ridde them forth, then do on this manner:
first take and plucke off the wings of one of those Dorre Bées, which
lay or put within the Hiue, and incontinent the Honny Bées espying the
same, will fal vppon the other Dorre Bées, and both kill and driue them
quite away.
¶ By what subtil meanes, the swarmes come forth, may
be preserued from flying quite awaye.
Cap.xiiij.
_Palladivs_ in his second Booke writeth, that the swarms of the honny
Bées fly awaye especiallye in the moneth of Iune. But with vs the same
oftner happeneth in the moneth of May, as hathe bin noted by sundrye,
diuerse times, especially if the yong Bées be sounde and hartie within
the Hyues. Therefore the kéeper muste diligently looke to the Hyues,
and at no time be absent, especially when the young Bées increase and
abound in the Hyues, for if they be not then carefully looked vnto, and
stayed by the diligence of the kéeper, they al fly quite away. For such
is the nature and propertie of the Bées, that as soone as the swarms of
the yong Bées, are bred with the Kings, and that they be strong & able
to flye away, then as disdayning the swarms of the olde Bées, they
séeke the more gouernment. For that they be suche liuing things, that
delight to rule alone, not séeking ayde and counsell of the elder Bées:
and therefore do the newe kings flye forth, with the young swarmes
following them, which for a day or two before their flying away,
remaine heaping togither before the mouths of the Hyues, & right vnder
the Hiues, so that by their comming forth, and heaping in suche order,
they properly shewe the desire of a newe place, and be as yet contented
to remaine thereabout, if so be the kéeper prouide for them a place and
an apt Hiue. But if they haue no kéeper to looke diligently to them,
then as it were by an iniurie repulsed, they after séeke a newe place.
That this may not happen, let then the warye and diligent kéeper, looke
circumspectlye to the Hyues in the Spring time, aboute the eight houre
of the daye, (when as the swarmes are not yet flowen away,) that he
maye the diligenter marke and sée the flying oute and comming in of the
yong Bées.
Now the readinesse of the Bées in flying away, is known two waies, as
the first is, when for certaine daies before, in a maner at the setting
of the Sun, they plentifully or abundantly gather on a heape righte
before the mouthe of the Hyue, like vnto greate clusters of Grapes, and
doe hang togither on heapes one vpon another.
The other note is, that when they be minded within thrée daies after to
flye awaye, they make as meruellous noise and sturring too and fro
within the hiues at euening, as Souldiours at the Alarme within a
Castell, whiche you maye easilye knowe, (this readinesse of them) if
that you lay your eare to ech hiue. And when some of the Bées are
flowen awaye, then doe those waite for the others, vntill the whole
swarme be come togither. That the Bées fly not awaye, _Plinie_ teacheth
in the .xj. Booke of his Naturall Historie, that the hiues ought to be
annointed about with the iuyce of the herb named Balme. Also other
affyrme, that the swarme to settle and stay againe through the onely
throwing of fine duste on them, if so be the same be throwen on light,
and that ouer the bées. Some beside affirme, that the Bées will not
flye awaye, if that the dung of the first calfe of any Cowe, be smeared
about the mouths of the hiues. _Plinie_ writeth, that by the only
binding of the fresh white Vine (running in hedges) rounde about the
bodies of the Hyues, it stayeth the swarme from flying away.
¶ Of the Bees newe settled in a swarme togyther,
and taken or recouered agayne.
Cap.xv.
When the Bées are nowe in a tumulte in the ayre, by throwing fine earth
on high ouer the Bées, or ringing a basen or kettle, they be with the
shrill sound made astonied, that they maye the sooner settle downe
neare to the kéeper, whiche if the same happen to be on the branch of a
trée, or on a graft or yong set, then with a very sharpe sawe, gently
sawe that off, and laye it on the grounde, and spéedily set a Hiue on
the same prepared for the purpose. For by that meanes (without doubte)
will the whole swarme flye vp to the toppe and head of the Hiue. Yet it
often happeneth, that they doe not wholy cleaue on a heape to the
braunch of a trée, but to the stocke or body of the trée, whych by that
meanes muste néedes be cutte by a greater force, so that not able to be
recouered by this meanes, the swarme muste be quickly swéepte off,
either with the hand, or with a Gose wing, that they may so fall
togither into the hiue. If the swarme happen to be clustred togither on
the top of a trée, so high, that they cannot be climed vnto, to take
them downe, then after the shaking of them into the Hiue (turned vppe)
either with a pole or high forke, the hiue must spéedily be turned down
to the earth. And if they be not thus taken or recouered, yet if the
King shal be still in the Hiue, then doth the swarme fly in againe, if
he remayneth not, then wil none of the swarme abide in the hiue, but
flye forthwith vnto the former place. Wherfore, that they may be moued
to abide, you muste then sprinckle the hiue with water and hony
togither, and couer the same within with the gréene Nettle, or rather
the gréene Fennell, or some such swéete herbe, annointed a little with
Hony, and after set at the Euening in their proper place. For the hiue
in the day time, after the recouering thus of the Bées, may not be
stirred vntil the Euening, that the Bées so quietly resting all that
night, may in the morning leisurely go forth. But for thrée daies
togither in a manner, muste the kéeper dayly looke, whether the swarme
kéepeth belowe in the Hiue, for if it doth, then are the Bées purposed
to flye awaye. And if none of al these remedies, may yet moue the Bées
to stay and tarry in the hiue, then be-smoke the hiue with flaxe, and
they will after enter in and abide in the hiue. Which so staying in the
hiues, set at the Euening in his proper place. Here learne a farther
instruction, that if the swarme of Bées cannot be gathered and
recouered togither all at one time then may you gather the swarme at
two or more times togither, and alwaies put eche part gathered vnder
the hiue. If it happeneth that you haue gotten the King, with a part of
the swarme, then will all the others soone come to hiue (without
further trauaile) of their owne accorde. If the Bées also be entred
into the hollowe of a trée, then to the hole, whiche they vse to go in
and out at, as their proper doore, sette a prepared hiue, and beneath
their hole, neare to the roote and bottome of the hollow (as you can
gesse) boare another bigge hole, that ye may wel put in a smoke of
Brimstone to them, whiche may so cause all the Bées to fly out at their
hole into the Hiue, set ouer the mouth of it. For no better deuise or
inuention can be had in this matter, than by such a smoake made. If the
same hollowe trée be so thinne, that it may easily be sawed asunder,
then with a sharpe sawe lette that hollowe parte be cutte asunder,
bothe aboue and beneath, and after couering it with a cleane shéete,
carrie the swarme home, which at euening couer with a newe Hiue
sprinckled with water and honny mixed togither. For so they will tarrye
the willinglier, being all shaken forth of the body of the trée, and
couered with the Hiue. Besides the hearbe Mugworte (whiche the Bées by
a naturall hatred do abhorre) doth chase them with the onely smell from
place to place.
¶ Which are the best and fittest Hiues for the
Honny Bees. Cap.xvj.
_Palladivs_ writeth, that the best Hiues be those, which are made of
the barkes and light corke of trées, bicause they be neither too colde
in the Winter time, nor too hote in the Sommer. And of this, those
Hiues whiche be wroughte and made of the small Osier or Willow trée, or
of the Vine stickes knit togither, or Canes cleft in the middes (whiche
be of like condition to the barke) wroughte close togither, and stopped
close aboute wyth flockes and clay, tempered togither with water and
salte, may aptly serue, if you will. But if neither of those fashioned
Hiues like you, then may you make the Hiues of the woodde of a hollowe
trée, or of light bourdes made square, and stowpyng somewhat afore. The
worste Hiues be those, which be made of turfes or earth, bycause they
be ouer hote in the Sommer, and ouer colde in the Winter. There be
other two kinds of hiues, as the one made of drie hard Cow dung, and
the other of tiles. Of whiche the one doth _Celsus_ rightly condemne,
bycause the same is so lightly burned, and the other he alloweth,
althoughe he dissembleth the speciall commoditie of it, bycause the
same, if néede requireth, cannot easily be remoued and carried into an
other place. And among these, I suppose oure forme of Hiues here in
Englande, are not altogither to be disallowed, although they be in like
daunger, to be easily burned, as the other Hiues aboue taughte, in that
they be made with strawe. But to be briefe, for a greate swarme you
ought to haue in a readinesse a greate hiue, and for a small swarme a
little Hiue. And the Hiue also oughte to be a foote and a halfe, or two
foote high, and in breadth aboue two foote and a halfe, or somewhat
larger. Hauing besides two very small and narrowe holes, somewhat
asunder, and so little ought the mouths to be, that neyther Béetle,
Butterflie, gret Moth, Humble Bées, Euet nor Mouse may enter in, to
spoile the Honny combes. Some suppose, or rather affyrme of experience,
that the Bées are delighted with this closenesse, in that they more ioy
to do their works and businesse in the darke, than otherwise.
¶ Of the clenlinesse and sweetenesse of the keeper of Bees,
and howe Hiues ought to be fenced aboute, and
prepared within. Cap.xvij.