The Progress. [volume] (White Earth, Minn.) 1886-1889, 1888-09-01
OLA ~ y. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER /, 1883.
Hunting For Bee Trees.

n the great forests west Of the
Mississippi the wild bees swarm ii
countless mum ers, feeding on the
luxurious vegetation which skirts
and intersects the prairie all along
the alluvial bottoms Of the rivers,
and seeming to fulfill literally the
Bible description Of a land flow
ing with milk and honey Hol.
low trees are taken possession Of
BY them, and honey stored into
them IN large quantities. II moth.
ing 'disturbs them they remain in
their old quarters for long periods
alta time, laying up stores Of hon
! ey for their own use, and, as is
often the case, for the bears or the
white men in the long run. The
hunters who make business Of
collecting the honey are the most
nerciless enemies that the little
creatures have. Unlike bruin,
who discovers a hive Of honey by
chance, or through the aid Of his
sensitive nose, the bee hunter car
Try on their work Systematically,
watching the habits of the little
creatures while gathering honey
from the flowers, and then follow.
ing them as they return to their
home through the air. After an
experience Of a year or two in the
business, the hunters can locate
with wonderful accuracy the home
Of the bees, notwithstanding the
fact that the hive if often situated
in q dense forest, and in trees
where no one would ever think of
looking for honey. Like most
othey wild creatures, the bees be.
tray their hiding place by their
own action.
The hunters before starting out
in quest Of their rich booty pro-
vide themselves with the necessary
equipments. These consist Of Ak.
les, rifles, matches and a small
piece Of honey comb. The rifles
are Carried along for their own
protection, in case the hunters
should be hunted by enemies 9TH
er than honey bees. When an
open glade near the edge Of the
forest is reached, the piece Of hon.
eycomb is placed on low bush
where it can be plainly seen BY
the passing bees. It's sweet aroma
quickly fills the air round it, and
attracts the little honey gatherers
toward it. Like a 1niser, who has
suddenly discovered a treasure of
gold, they dive down into the lit
tie cells and begin to satiate their
appetite. Then, without suspect
ing the trap set for them, nor
stopping to inquire about the
strange phenomenon of honey
comb growing on bush, they dart
away through the forest to depos-
tie their load in the hive.
This is the hunters opportuni-
ty. Noticing the direction in
which the bees fly, they quickly
start in pursuit, keeping the it,
tie creatures in sight with diff
Guilty. Usually an old experienced
bee hunter takes the lead, and his
eagle like eyes can detect the small
black specks IN the air when the
others have entirely lost sight Of
them. Through dense clusters Of
brambles and over wet and bogy
ground they hurry, completely abb
sorbed in the chase, and unmind-
full Of al disagreeable surround
ings. They have to make bee
line through the woods. and not
TO stop to consider whether there
is better travelling in another but
longer direction.
Frequently it happens that the
hunter when in the immediate
neigh borhood Of the tree are un-
able to distinguish the right one
from the Others. The entrance to
the bee castle is several feet above
the ground, and the eyes Of the
hunters are unable to see it unless
attracted BY the bees coming in
and out in numbers. The third
step Of the hunt is then taken,
a a Ill -. -. n S 4 - s. -