St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-03-12
Bee-HUIifiHU.

The custom OF bce-hunting used to be,
and Il vet, to some extent n favorite pas
time among the inhabitants If the Green
Mountains. To hunt successfully re-
quireS a thorough knowledge of the bee
and all It's habits ; and therefore, like
any other game, those who love the sport
pride themselves upon their proficiency.
The hunter starts out armed with small
box with Il siding cover, card OF IA III
ey comb, and a small bottle of honey,
moa>Sc-, Or something suited to the taste
OF the bee. When near the locality ot
of will bees lac 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
clo>r. 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
IN favorable position for seeing it, and
slides back the cover. Having ''iilled."
as the hunters say, the bee flies straight
10 his tree, and returns to till again.
bringing others with him. Oltentimes
these workers increase 50 rapidly that Il
steady stream will be seen going to and
from the box, which can easily be follow
ed TO the tree at once. Frequently large
deposits OF honey are found in this way.
which the little workers show as mnch
bravery in defending rs industry in gath
trine.
There lived in the town of R an
eccentric character, "Uncle joe" whose
particular pride was in being thought
master of this sport. Once, on the APP
preach of the hunting season. he went
out. IL usual, armed with bee-box and
honey-bottlc, 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 50 he spent the dav,
every bee refusing his free lunch. until
Joe really thought the bees all crazy or
himself dreaming, for surely he never
knew the like before. In utter amaze
ment 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 disposed TO con-
>deG a. an i'll omen, and waited for her
to speak, which she soon did. Holding
the bottle up before her, she exclaimed.
with Il twinkle in both eyes "Well,
we'll, Joe il you hain't gone and taken
my caS;or-oil to line bees with :" Joe
looked, and seeing his honey-bottlc I'M
touched, saw the joke and wited, for he
knew that he would never hear the last
of it, rs one of his neighbors' boys hap
pencd to be present.
That evcuin" as Joe, rather happy
from the effects Of something taken to re-
lieve his chagrin, strollcd into the village
hotel, where Il few OF his neighbors were
congrcgated, one who never let a chance
slip to give Joe hit, and who rarely
got the better of him, related .Joc'S expe-
ricnce and turning to him with an air
of having at last got his enemy in tight
place, asked Joe if he hadn't better treat
on that. Joe Steadied himself by chair
and when the laugh had subslded SO as
to be heard, said with very knowing
look : ''Gcntlemen, there Is no mistake
about that. | wasn't trying to hum
those bees | was only docto,1ny them.
Bees always have to be phy>icked before
they will work we'll :" This brought
the house down, and although he didn't
stand the treat, some one else did, and
he had to be helped home.-Drnre',
Hnper's -Uagasme.