Bava Batra

MISHNAH. ONE WHO BUYS OF ANOTHER THE [ANNUAL] ISSUE OF A DOVE-COTE MUST ALLOW THE FIRST BROOD  TO FLY [WITH THEIR DAM].  [IF HE BUYS THE ANNUAL] ISSUE OF A BEEHIVE, HE TAKES [THE FIRST] THREE SWARMS; AND [THE SELLER MAY THEN] EMASCULATE [THOSE REMAINING].  [IF HE BUYS] HONEY-COMBS, HE MUST LEAVE TWO COMBS.  [IF HE BUYS] OLIVE-TREES FOR FELLING, HE MUST LEAVE TWO SHOOTS. GEMARA. Has it not been taught [that the buyer must leave the] first, and the second brood?  — R. Kahana replied: One for itself [the first brood]. one for the dam.  But if [it is assumed that the] mother dove will be attached to the daughter dove and to the mate left with it, [let it equally be assumed that] the daughter dove also will be attached to its mother dove and to the mate left with it!  — A mother is [always] attached to a daughter, but not so a daughter to a mother. [IF HE BUYS] THE [ANNUAL] ISSUE OF A BEEHIVE, HE TAKES [THE FIRST] THREE SWARMS; AND [THE SELLER MAY THEN] EMASCULATE [THOSE REMAINING]. Wherewith does he emasculate them? — Rab Judah said in the name of Samuel: With mustard. In Palestine it has been stated, in the name of R. Jose b. Hanina: It is not the mustard that emasculates them but the excessive quantities of honey, which the bitterness in their mouths [caused by the mustard], makes them consume.  R. Johanan said: [The buyer] takes the three swarms alternately.  In a Baraitha it has been taught: [The buyer] takes three swarms consecutively and after that he takes them alternately. [IF HE BUYS] HONEY-COMBS, HE MUST LEAVE TWO COMBS etc. R. Kahana said: Honey in a beehive never loses the designation of 'food'.  This proves that he is of the opinion that no intention  is required. An objection was raised: [It has been taught]: Honey in a beehive is neither [regarded  as] 'food' nor [as] 'drink'! — Abaye replied: This  referred only to those two combs.  Raba said: This  is [in accordance with] R. Eliezer.