Too early gathering is not best.
19
Fruit gathred too [timely] wil taste of the wood,
wil shrink[26] and be bitter, and seldome prooue good:
So fruit that is shaken, or beat off a tree,
with brusing in falling, soone faultie wil bee.
Driuing of hiues.
20
Now burne vp the bees that ye mind for to [driue],
at Midsomer driue them and saue them aliue:
Place hiue in good [ayer], set [southly] and warme,
and take in due season wax, honie, and swarme.
Preseruing of bées.
21
Set hiue on a plank, (not too low by the ground)
where herbe with the flowers may compas it round:
And boordes to defend it from north and north east,
from showers and rubbish, from vermin and beast.
Stie up the bore.
22
At Mihelmas safely go stie vp thy Bore,
least straying abrode, ye doo see him no more:
The sooner the better for Halontide nie,
and better he [brawneth] if hard he doo lie.[E94]
23
Shift bore (for il aire) as best ye do thinke,
and twise a day giue him fresh vittle and drinke:
And diligent Cislye, my dayrie good wench,
make cleanly his [cabben], for [measling][E95] and stench.
Gathering of winter hempe.