Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-06-03
From the Dollar Newspaper,
Transferring Bees.

As am ever desirous Of giving as well as re-
ceiving information on anything pertaining 10
my occupation, that of farming, permit me TO Of
fer to those whom it may concern, few remarks
on the above topic. All will agree with me that
the old practice of destroying the entire swarm
by fumigation is barbarous and extremely un-
profitable. Then, if there be another method
of removing bees from hive to hive, by which
the honey is obtained, with the same cost, ard
by which the lives of the bees are spared, / say,
Iemphatically, it should be adopted.
The method i now recommend is that Of fu-
lmigation, (not brimstone, by which the senses
Of the bees are so dormant that they fall out Of
the hive and remain insensible for a short space
Of time, and while in this state are perfectly
harmless, and can be dealt with in any way de-
sired. The method is as follows;
Procure large mushroom, which, when ripe,
is of dark, brOwnish color, but white before.
1t generally springs UP about swampy ground
and in meadows. Take one Of these and roll it
in piece of paper, pressing it to almost one
half of its original bulk; then place it in some
heated place, say bake-oven, and let it remain
there until dry enough to hold fire. Having
made ready the mushroom, take box, made for
the purpose, of the same length and breadth of
the hive from which the bees are to be taken,
and about four or six inches high, and over it
spread sheet or table cloth, pressing it down
into the box, so as to make a hole into which the
bees may fall. Over this place the hive, setting
fire TO piece Of the mushroom, ,sof the size of a
hens egg; place it directly under the bees
and by the time they inhale sufficient quantity
of the fumes, they will fall down into the pit
prepared for their reception. When it is ascer-
tanned with certainty that they have all faller
down, remove the old hive and place another
over the bees, and in short time, when theil
senses return, they will soon find their way in
Ito the hive.
Some turn the empty hive upside down, ant
lplace the bees over it, and then proceed as be
fore. prefer the former plan. Either way i
is absolutely necessary that all the bees be ou
of the hive before commencing TO take out tn
honey; for it is not an unfrequent occurrence
that the queen, the mother Of the family, remain
and is the last one to leave the hive: In thi
case she should be sought for and restored to tn
colony; for, it is well-known fact, that with
out the presence Of the queen, there is no sue
thing as order; but, on the contrary, nothing bu
turmoil ard confusion. Then the greatest car
should be taken to have her placed safely in th
4 new hive, and no effort should be spared unit
she is found.
The above method is superior TO every othel
from the fact that it will suit all sorts and size
of hives, while in this particular, many other
are deficient, and fall short Of rightly accom-
plishing the purpose for which they were d'
signed. j.,
This article is somewhat in advance Of Il
honey taking seas on, but it will be found wort
:, = remembering. My motto is, "Note, treasure I
- and act"