The writer will find 1, 2, 3, answered in the body of the work. In reply
to 4, No. In reply to 5, Yes.
* * * * *
_Cheltenham, July 30th._
Sir,--I have been much interested with your letters in _The Times_
about bees; and having just commenced keeping them, am anxious for
further information. Your kindness in writing so fully induces me to
trouble you.
I purchased a swarm on June 17th, and have them in a common straw
hive. I am told by the cottager from whom I bought them (who, by the
way, takes his honey by stupifying the bees with a fungus), that as
mine is a late swarm (though a first), I ought not to take any honey
from them this season; but noticing in your letter of 27th your mode
of obtaining honey from a straw hive by cutting a hole in the top and
placing a bell-glass on a board over, I shall be much obliged if you
will inform me if you think I might now adopt this mode, or is it too
late in the season, and ought they to be left undisturbed till next
season?
Will you kindly tell where the Scotch hexagonal hive is to be
procured? I like your account of it so much, that I shall certainly
try it as soon as I can. Will you excuse this trouble?