Apiarian reader, take this subject into thy serious consideration: in the busy hive behold the curious works of God's creatures--the Bees; misuse riot, then, the works of his hands; but improve upon this lesson from nature: and for a moment pause before thou lightest the deadly match,--before thou appliest it with murderous intent to the congregated thousands in thy hive.
It's he who feels no rev'rence for God's sacred name, That lights the sulphur up to cause the dreadful flame: Alas! I think, viewing the monster's busy hand Taking the dreadful match, I see a murderer stand.
These insects' indefatigable labours alone should humanize our feelings for them, and induce us to spare their lives, for the rich treasures which they first collect, and then unresistingly yield up to us when operated upon by the healthy influence of ventilation.
Why should we lay the axe to the root of the tree that produces such good fruit? Rather let us gather from its pure branches, and let the root live. Examine the nature and effects of my Bee-machinery, and you will discover its utility and its value in the management of Bees. By the proper application of that machinery you may instantaneously divide the treasures of the Bees, even in the most vigorous part of their gathering season, without the least danger to the operator, and frequently without the destruction of a single Bee. Is not this, then, a rational and humane practice? I trust it wants only to be properly understood in order to be universally adopted.
Again: Does not she that is a kind mother know the wants and desires of her children? Take the lovely offspring from its mother's care and protection, and imprison it before her eyes, and will she not impatiently cry aloud for its release and restoration to liberty? and will not the child's screams show its affection for its fond parent? and when its liberty is restored, does not consolation quickly follow? The lost child being once more under its mother's care, both mother and child are happy. Similar facts are exemplified by the mother of the hive, who loves her multitudinous offspring, and lives in harmony and affection with them. She evidently dislikes a separation from her subjects, who seem to be, and doubtless are, most devotedly attached to her. And when, on taking off a glass or a box, they are divided only for a few minutes, we witness their sorrow, and hear their lamentations in the hive,--the Queen-mother calling for her children, anxious on their part to be released; and as soon as an opportunity is afforded them of effecting their escape, they embrace it,--the moment they feel their liberty, they gladly take advantage of it, and return to the pavilion in multitudes, so that in a short time tranquillity is restored, and peace and happiness are again enjoyed by the previously unhappy mother of the hive,--her subjects crowd round her, and the place that had lately been their prison soon becomes their palace, and a magazine for future treasure, which the humane apiarian will again be entitled to.