The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-25
DEVICE FOR TRACING BEES.
of Cotton the Insect He Wishes TO
Follow.

OF cotton the insect he W1sheS 10
Follow.
Rochester Union and Advertiser.
The swarm of bees which made it's ap-
pearance on Exchange street in the early
part of last week was of great interest
to an elderly gentleman who for some
years lived in Australia, the land of kan
garoos and red-headed pugilists, and as
he watched the operation of hiving the
honey-gatheres he grew reminiscent and
said:
That recalls one of the most interesting
experiences of my residence in Australia,
where I spent about two weeks out on a
large sheep range owned by friend of
mine, where l made the acquaintance of
one of the herders, who was a native
black and great hand to trail bees to
their homes.
zone day l asked permission to accom-
pany him on one of his trips, and after
a little elaboration he consented. Before
setting out he provided himself with
small bunch of cotton, a little gum of
some sort and a bottle of water. The
care he took in preparing these articles
aroused my curiosity, and when 1 ques-
toned him he said that they were to be
used in the hunt for honey. l failed to
see how they could be of service, but
made up my mind to watch closely and
see what he would do.
For some time we rode on in silence,
he all the time keeping a sharp lookout
for something which 1 had not the slight
est idea OF, and when he suddenly refined
in his horse and started for a clump Of
Towering bushes 1 followed his example
and was somewhat astonished when he
lifted a warning finger and pointed to a
bee which was busy gathering honey.
"Motioning me to remain quiet, he drew
out the water bottle. filed his mouth, and
then took small tuft of the cotton, ap-
Piled bit of gum to 1t, and stepped to-
ward the bee. When he was close enough
he squirted the water on the bee, and
while it was trying TO shake off the water
he deftly fastened the cotton to its back
and remounted his horse.
when the bee recovered the use Of its
wings it started off across the country
and we followed 1t. 1t was impossible for
me to keep track Of the bee, but my COM
panion never lost sight Of IL and followed
II unerringly as II new along, unconscious
ly leading an enemy to its store house.
We followed Il for several miles until we
reached a large gum tree. An inspection
showed that we had made no mistake and
preparations were made for smoking out
the bees.
He cut hole in the lower part OF the
tree and kindled a fire, across which he
laid a number Of fresh branches 10 create
a smudge. To insure the smoke doing its
work properly sort OF screen was made
TO force the smoke into the hole, and in
about half an hour the bees had become
helpless and we obtained about thirty
pounds of honey.
We were Just getting ready TO return
home when a peculiar looking little bird
somewhat larger than a sparrow, began Ia
fiutter around our heads and twitter NY
companion gave a cry Of satisfaction and
then started on pell nell after the bird
was at a loss to explain his action, but
thought best to follow him.
when l caught up with him he ex-
planned that the bird was honeybird and
wanted 70 show him where there was a
honey tree. Having never heard OF such
a thing l thought he was making game OF
me, but his earnestness partly convinced
me and I decided TO keep on.
After a chase Of several miles the bird
began 70 hover around "A tree. and when
we drew nearer we saw bees issuing from
a hole In the trunk. The former methods
for securing the honey were put In opera
ton. the bird sitting on a nearby limb
while the operation was going on. After
securing the honey a portion was set aside
fer the bird. as my companion declared
that unless he did 20 the bird would re.
fuse 60 guide him any more.
1--WE found several other trees and mark
ed them. and reached the house IN the
evening. After supper my host enter.
tained me with an account OF the amount
Of honey which the herder had gathered.
stating that IN one week the previously
summer he had gathered nearly a thous-
ands pounds
"since leaving that place / have visited
a number OF large apiarios In various
countries and seen any number OF devices
for keeping bees, but I have never met
any one who made such an impression
uron me as that boo hunter with whom 1
Epcut o day IA Southern Australia"