_As a general rule,--no honey should be taken from a colony the first year of its being planted_, though there may be an extraordinary season now and then, which may justify a departure from this rule; but neither in such an uncommon year, nor even in the second year, should the whole of the combs in any box be taken, (unless it be clearly ascertained that the centre combs contain no brood,) but only the external ones, which should be examined carefully one by one, and the brood-combs, if any, be returned in the box to the stock. The apiarian, as +Huber+ observes, if he wish to obtain a considerable quantity of honey, should endeavour to secure his object rather by the number of his colonies, than by plundering a few of a great proportion of their treasures. _A moderate participation is the most infallible means of preserving the stock._ Should "Summer signs auspicious ride. And tubes unfailing pour the balmy tide, A full rich harvest, Bee-herds, may ye claim From the blithe tenants of your crystal'd frame. But long ere Virgo weaves the robe of sleet, Or binds the hoar-frost sandals round her feet. Close seal'd and sacred, leave your toil-worn hosts. The last kind dole their waning season boasts, Lest coop'd within their walls, the truants prey On hoards reserv'd to cheer stern Winter's day." +Evans.+ +Mr. Hubbard+ says that he has found _colonized bees frequently fail, in consequence of their having been robbed of too much honey;_ it prevents early breeding. +Wildman+ _particularly recommends cautious deprivation after July_, to avoid the attention which might be required in feeding, if the autumn should be unfavourable. So much for the first and second years.--On the third, if the summer of that year as well as the summer preceding have been favourable for honey-gathering, the superior box will probably contain no brood, and may then be taken all at once. The proceedings of the fourth and fifth years may fall under the practice of the second, but will probably allow of an earlier deprivation; some side combs may perhaps be taken away in July, and in October either the nadir or the centre box be removed entirely, and those above (if more than one) be brought down, and remain so till April; when the nadir may be introduced again. _No hive or box should have its breeding combs left more than five years;_ and in general, after the first year, the lower boxes will be found to be principally occupied for this purpose. By this practice for four years out of every five, whatever combs are removed will be new ones, which, on account of the purity both of the wax and the honey, are greatly preferable to old ones. +Virgil+, probably copying his predecessor +Aristotle+, describes _two harvests of honey every year_, namely, in the spring and in the autumn.