doubtlesse, that Bees are bred of Bees, either of their blowings, or some other 〈◊〉〈◊〉
of their generation: but the first is most likely, because the first combes 〈◊〉〈◊〉
Bee frameth, she filleth with her young, before she labour for honey, and these 〈◊〉〈◊〉
are at first but little bigger than flye-blowes, white and long, and so 〈…〉〈…〉
produceth a shape, which taketh life in the combe, and then departeth thence▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉
laboureth amongst the other Bees: yet being straitened in the Hiue, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉
roome to lodge their honey in, as soone as the warmth of Summer commeth in, th••y
with one consent depart the Hiue, and seeke out some other place wherein to 〈◊〉〈◊〉
their labou••••s: and these are called the swarmes, or encrease of young store, which the
elder stocks bringeth forth. But letting passe these digressions of the workes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••∣ture,
I will describe them as they are alreadie engendred; as, what be the prop••••••••••
of such as are fit and like to make good honey. There are manie sorts of Bees: for
some are of a golden colour, cleare, shining, and bright; others blackish, rough and
hairie some great, some small; some thicke and round; and others spa••e and long;
some wild, and some tame. But and if you would buy or gather together 〈◊〉〈◊〉
out of the Forest, to take their honey from them, looke and take good heed that they
haue the markes following; as, that they be little ones, somewhat long, not hairie
nea••, golden coloured, shining and sparkling as gold, spotted aboue, gentle and lo∣uing:
for the greater and longer that Bees be, the worse they are; and if they be 〈◊〉〈◊〉
they are nothing worth; notwithstanding, that their choler and malice is easily
helped, if that otherwise they be well marked and fruitfull, by seeing themost: for in
your oft going to them, they become tame. But because one cannot learnt to 〈◊〉〈◊〉
and know if they haue all these marks aforesaid, if he see them not: if you buy them,
before you cope for them, you must open the Hiues, and see whether they be well ••••∣plenished,
or not: and if you cannot looke vp higher into them, then you must go••
by gesse and ayme, and consider if there be good store at the mouth, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉
you heare a great noise and huzzing within; and further, if they be all 〈…〉〈…〉
at rest: in putting your mouth to the Hiues mouth, and blowing a good blast 〈…〉〈…〉,
you may perceiue whether there be manie, or few, by the noise which they will ••••••∣sently
make when they feele the breath. Or where you shall make doubt of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
these former signes, there you shall take the Hiue from the stone, and poise it 〈◊〉〈◊〉
your arme, and according vnto the weight so you shall chaffer for it: because if you
see it is well reple••••shed with Bees, and also verie heauie, then you may assure 〈◊〉〈◊〉
selfe it is an excellent Stocke, rich both in Cattell, Wax, and Honey, and so co••••••∣quently
worth your money: but if it be light, though it promise neuer so manie 〈◊〉〈◊〉
yet it is but casuall: for either the swarme fell late in the yeare, so that they 〈◊〉〈◊〉
time to get their prouisions; or else the yeare was vnnaturall, and too moist, whereby
they could not worke; or else the Swarme was weake; anie of which will hardly 〈◊〉〈◊〉
out the Winter following: and in that respect the buyer ought to be verie ••••••••∣full
of his purchase. Now it is an old receiued opinion amongst old 〈◊〉〈◊〉
(how true I leaue to your i••dgement) That those Bees prosper best, which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉
giuen, or come by chance: Truly I would not persuade anie friends of mine 〈…〉〈…〉
get Bees at this reckoning, to goe to higher rate, for sure the ••asinesse of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
makes the profit to much the greater, and in that respect the saying is true, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••∣therwise,
I am fully persuaded. Others are of opinion, that stolne Bees thriue 〈◊〉〈◊〉
but I would haue no man beleeue it: for I neuer knew profit in dishonestie; 〈◊〉〈◊〉
is it possible that there can be anie blessing giuen vnto an act of so much wrong, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
the taking away of another mans goods commeth to: yet this hath beene an old
receiued opinion, and for knowledge, not for practise, I relate it. It is good to 〈◊〉〈◊〉
them as neere vnto your abode as you can, and not in other Countries 〈…〉〈…〉
your dwelling place: for the change of their Pastures, Ayre, and Countrey, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 s••onish
and amase them: besides also, the further they are carried, the more they 〈◊〉〈◊〉
pained in their Hiues. But and if they cannot be got, but by seeking 〈…〉〈…〉
them, you must conuey them, betwixt place and place, some other way that by
highwayes, and that the rather in the Spring than in Winter, as also verie 〈◊〉〈◊〉.