J. B. S.
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?
I remain, Sir, yours obediently,
C. H. H.
To the Gentleman who writes in The Times under the signature of "A Bee-master."
If a good swarm take place in May, and in a good year, you may hopefully put on a super. For Ayrshire hives, see p. 213.