APIARY AT DELABERE PARK. Having stated (in page 144) that "I have well-authenticated, indisputable proofs of the abundant produce of honey having been taken from collateral-boxes, and that of very superior quality too," I could, in support of this statement refer the reader to a great number of my apiarian friends, a bare catalogue of whose names would fill several pages of this book. But as the best proofs of the merits, advantages, and practicability of anew system, are in its established success, I will select one instance, and have great pleasure in referring to that of the apiary established on my principles, at the seat of my noble patron—the Marquess of Blandford, at Delabere Park, near Reading. Situated in a part of the country most abundantly favoured by nature,—effete with every variety of Bee-herbage, and with every local advantage combined in its favour, the noble Marquess has prosecuted his apiarian pursuits with a spirit of liberality and enterprize redounding to his credit, and well meriting the success which has equalled my own as it has his most sanguine expectations. I do not consider that I can introduce this better to the notice of my readers, than by transcribing the account of a visit, that was paid to it by my intelligent friend Mr. Booth, the Lecturer on Chemistry, and which appeared in the Stamford Mercury of July 26th, 1833. It is as follows:— "To the Editor of the Mercury. "Sir, "From the interest you appear to take in whatever relates to the extension of Mr. Nutt's invaluable system of Bee-management, and the prompt attention you have given to former communications on the subject, I am induced to detail the successful results of that system in the hands of the Marquess of Blandford, who has gone most extensively into the subject, and with an ardour and enthusiasm second only to that of the intelligent inventor. As I had the permission of the noble Marquess to make my observations, so I am enabled to make reference to his Lordship for the accuracy of my statements, and I am only fulfilling' the wishes of the noble Lord, in making these details as extensively public as possible, for the information of those who are interested in this most important, though long neglected branch of rural economy. "His Lordship's park is most pleasantly situated near the beautiful and romantic village of Pangbourn, in Berkshire, and the choice of situation for the apiary is most excellent. It is at the top of a tower[E] forty-six feet high, situated in the midst of a wood, and commanding a most extensive view of the surrounding country, including Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, and Oxfordshire, the face of nature being clad in an almost endless variety of fertility, and old Father Thames gently meandering through the valley, formed by the distant hills which bound the scene, affording but few prospective traces of the immense physical developments of his powers, which render him, truly, the monarch of rivers. At the top of this tower his Lordship possesses four colonies in collateral-hives, and one inverted-hive, all of which have been started since April 1833. In the collateral-hives the labours of the Bees have been highly successful. From one colony has already been taken a box containing thirty pounds of honey; whilst another box and three small glasses, which cannot together contain less than forty pounds, are quite ready for taking, and which will afford the sum of seventy pounds, and this without infringing on the quantity necessary for the winter support of the Bees. The thermometer in the collateral-boxes did not exceed 70 degrees, whilst in the air it was at 64. A most remarkable contrast was afforded by the superior quality of the honey in the end-box and that of the 'pavilion of nature:' the superiority of the former was most evident. Mr. Smith, the keeper, who quite follows in the steps of Mr. Nutt, informed me that the average quantity of honey produced from a cottage-hive, upon the old principles, does not exceed from thirty to forty pounds; whilst, but in one case, did he ever obtain from a hive, enlarged by eking, the amount of fifty pounds. It is extremely satisfactory and fortunate, that, for the sake of reference, Mr. Nutt's system has fallen into such good hands, as both his lordship and the keeper appear as devoted to the subject, as they have been happy in their results. For young beginners the results reflect great credit. [E] Vide, plate at the head of this chapter. "I am not able to speak much regarding the progress of the inverted-hives, of which his lordship possesses two; the one being at the top of the tower and the other situate on the lawn, at the back of the house; the former containing twenty-three glasses and the latter thirty-three. The latter is really a magnificent construction—an ornamental appendage such as the gardens of few noblemen can boast. The Bees had, in each, filled all the intermediate parts betwixt the hive and the glasses, and were just then commencing their labours in the latter. Next summer his lordship will, I anticipate, reap a glorious harvest both from these, and his collateral-hives, which are getting into prime condition for the winter. "I have troubled you with these details because they relate to facts, and a publication of such facts is all that is required to introduce this admirable system of Bee-management into universal practice. To what extension it may be brought, it is impossible to state, but these results most strongly impress upon others of the nobility to 'Go and do likewise.' The mantle of the warrior has indeed fallen upon the philanthropist in the person of the heir to the title and fortunes of a Marlborough; and let the example but be extended, and the practice inculcated amongst our rural population, and, whilst it will greatly conduce to their advantage, we need no longer look to France or Italy for a supply of treasures, which our own country and peasantry can so efficiently produce. Nothing could possibly more advance these objects, than the formation of an Apiarian Society, which should offer premiums and prizes to the most successful competitors; and I do hope that for the sake of humanity as well as philanthropy, and when I see the long and noble list of names which dignify Mr. Nutt's patronage, I shall not be deceived in my anticipations of the speedy formation of a society, established for such laudable purposes. Yours, &c.
Abraham Booth, Lecturer on Chemistry.
"Reading, July 22d, 1833." To the above very able and explicit description, and which is to me the more interesting because not written by a practical apiarian, I have nothing to add, but that it has met the cordial approbation of his Lordship, whose still more recent and continuous success has confirmed him in the practicability and value of my system. The sketch which precedes this account was taken for the purpose by his amiable Countess, whose kind solicitude for the welfare of the industrious and valuable little insects, to which so much of my attention has been devoted, and approbation of my exertions, have not been amongst the least valued of my rewards and consolations.
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