Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-03-03
Bee Hunting.

The custom of bee hunting used to be, and
is yet, to some extent, a favorite pastime
among the inhabitants of the Green Noun
tains. To hunt successfully requires thor
ough knowledge of the bee and all its habits
and therefore, like any other game, those .
who love the sport pride themselves upon
their proficiency The hunter starts out arm
ed with small box with a sliding cover,
card of honey-comb, and small bottle of
honey molasses, or something suited to the
taste Of the bee. When near the locality Of
wild bees he fills the comb with the honey
from the bottle, places it in the bottom of the
box, and hunts for bee upon flower, which,
when found, he brushes into the box, at the
same time closing the box. The prisoner
will buzz for while, and then goes to filling
his sack from the honey in the bottom of the
box. The hunter then places the box in
favorable position for seeing it, and slides
back the cover. Having f" filed" as the
hunters say, the bee flies straight to his tree,
and returns to fill again, bringing others with
him. Oftentimes these workers increase 50
rapidly that a steady stream will be seen GO
ing to and from the box, which can easily be
followed to the tree at once. Frequently
large deposits of honey are found in this
way, which the little workers show as much
bravery in defending as industry in gather
ing.
There lived in the town of R an &C.
centric character, Uncle Joe," whose parti-
cular pride was in being thorough master Of
this sport. Once, on the approach Of the
hunting season, he went out, as usual, armed
with bee-box and honey-bottle, and soon had
a worker caught, but somehow he showed an
utter Indifference to Joe's honey. He let
him 90 and caught another, who behaved in
like manner and so he spent the day, every
bee refusing his free lunch, until Joe really
thought the bees all crazy or himself dream
ing for surely he never knew the like be-
fore. In utter amazement he gave up the
job and went home Meeting his "better
half" at the door, he gave her his traps to
put away, told her his luck, which he was dis
posed to consider as an i'll omen, and waited
for her to speak, which she soon did. Hold
ing the bottle up before her, she exclaimed,
with twinkle in both eyes Well, well,
Joe if you hain't gone and taken my castor.
oil to line bees with" Joe looked and seeing
his honey-bottle untouched, saw the Joke and
wilted, for he knew that he would never hear
the last of it, as one of his neighbors' boys
happened to be present.
That evening as Joe, rather happy from
the effects of something taken to relieve his
chagrin, strolled into the village hotel, where
few Of his neighbors were congregated,
one who never let chance slip to give Joe
hit, and who rarely got the better of him,
related Joe's experiment and turning to
him with an air Of having at last got his
enemy in a tight place, asked Joe if he hadn't
better treat on that. Joe steadied himself
by chair, and when the laugh had subsided
so as to be heard, said with very knowing
look Gentlemen, there is no mistake
about that. wasn't trying to hitnt those
bees | was only doctoriag them. Bees al
rays have to be physicked before they will
work well !" This brought the house down.
and although Joe did not stand the treat,
some one else did, and he had to be helped
home.--DRAwER, Harper's Magazine.