Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-10-14
BEES AND BEE-HUNTING.
Pursuit of the Busy Insects in
Various Countries.
Heralds of Civilization" in the West
Noteworthy "Takes "A Bear Comes
to the Rescue of Hunter-A
Bishops Bank.

There are, 1t Is said, no fewer than
twenty-seven genera, and ore hundred
and seventy-seven species OF bees, ma
tives of Great Britain. But one only of
all these, the Apis miiIifca, or common
honey-bee, has been domeshcated. At
tempts have been made with others,
especially with the bombus, or humble
bee, but without any adequate success.
The frequent mention of honey in
the Old Testament from the patriarchal
ages downward, and the description of
Palestine as "a land flowing with milk
and honey" may well have raised the
question whether the honey was OBJ
tanned from bees in wild condition or
in state of domestication. The weight
OF evidence is in favor of the former.
In the somewhat wandering life, as
strangers and pilgrims" which many
of thepatriarchs led, bee-culture would
have been very inconvenient, II not
impossible; and as honey was to be
had in rich abundance simply for the
seeking, there would be little induce
ment to undertake unnecessary cares
and labors in the domestication of the
native variety. There is no question,
however, as to the possibility of
inducing wild bees to accept
domestication. In Cashmere and
the north of India, the natives
have a simple and ready method of do
ing this; in building their houses, they
leave cavities in one of the walls hay
ing sunny aspect, with small hole
like that of a modern hive opening out
wards. The inner side of the wall
is lifted with frame of wood with a
toor attached. A swarm of bees in
search of new home-or perhaps the
pioneers who are sent day or two
before the actual swarming, to seek
out dwelling-place-would be at
tracted by such an ''open door," and
the family, or army, ten, twenty, or
thirty thousand strong, would at once
take possession. The vacant space
would soon be filled by the busy work
ers; and the inmates of the house, hav-
ing access to the store by means of the
open door, could move comb or two
at pleasure, without distressing the
bees, simply using the precaution of
blowing in as much smoke at the back
as would cause the bees to fly out the
front. English travellers report having
seen the operation performed, and the
bees quietly return when the work
was done. The plan has been recon-
mended for use in this country. 1t is 81
least practicable, if not necessary. In
dwelling-houses there might be risks,
which would not apply to farm-build-
ings and erections around country
house. But if man has not utilized this
plan, the bees themselves have acted
upon it. An instance of two within
the writers own knowledge may moi
be uninteresting.
was the tenant of Rose Cottage,
Brenchley, Kent, from 1858 to 1862,
The house, which has been consider.
ably altered since, was well adapted
for such purpose. The upper part OF
the walls were formed, as is common
In that part of the country. externally
of tiles on framework of wood, and
internally of lath and plaster. In the
cavities there would be ample space
for large stores of comb and honey
A swarm of bees took possession of {
portion of the front wall, having /;
south-south-eastern aspect, entering
this abode through crevice between
the tiles Just over one of the chambel
windows. They held possession for sew
eral years, and still held their owl
when l left the cottage. As they neve
swarmed, it is almost scertain Their
must have been large collection o
honey. but for some reason or other
chiefly. no doubt. on account of tn
difficulty of taking the honey withou
njuring the house and exposing tn