Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-05
BEES AND THEIR WAYS.

One Who Has Studied Them Talks
About Them EntertaininSly.
From the Lewiston (Me.) Journal.
Ex-Mayor William Wheeler Bolster Of
Auburn, Maine, has long been engaged in
the bee business on an extended scale. For
this Industry he has always had a great
love, and all through his busy life he has
kept few hives, but not until his retire
ment from the practice Of his profession did
he devote nearly all his time to an apiary
as now. Mr.. Bolster is very much of a
naturalist and has made special study of
bees, until he understands their habits and
instincts thoroughly. In fact, it is doubt
full if there is another man in Maine better
informed in this line than he is. In talking
about his favorite pastime he said:
II have always kept bees and have close
ly studied their habits. l understand them.
not from books, but from actual observa.
ton. and 1 think practice is the best of
schools. One-half that the books tell us
about bees Is not correct.
I'm the first place, let me tell you that
the instinct of the honey bee is wonderful.
There is no living thing in which the sense
Of smell Is SO keenly developed. They are
all extremely neat. and will allow not the
slightest speck Of dirt in their hives. The
pect success is to keep them in clean
place Ventilation must also be looked af-
ter very carefully.
Bees are intelligent, and can discrimi-
My bees know me as well as my horses do.
When a stranger comes they know 1t in
stantly, and if he is not agreeable to them
it makes them restless.
''It may surprise you to know how finely
organized a bee colony Is. No military COM
pany was ever better equipped in this re-
spect or under stricter discipline. Human
society could be organized no better. A
sentinel is always posted on guard, and all
approaches are carefully noted and watch
ed
1.-THE queen is, Of course, the head Of the
colony, the drones and workers constituting
the other classes. Each class has its own
peculiar duties to perform, and 1t attends
to nothing else. II l go to my hives with
strangers I first notice whether the senti-
nels like him or not. If they take an aver
sion to the man they try to Drive him off.
II they have not force enough to do this,
they go into the hive and bring out help.
and will continue doing this until the whole
colony Is brought out, II necessary.
my bees never sting me purposely. II
hurt one he sometimes stings. but this is
only In self-defense. can very easily tell
whether they are. angry or In good humor
by their scent. When angry or excited they
throw on disagreeable scent Then look
when the bees are happy they make a
low, humming noise, like the purrs Of a
contented cat. There Is no trouble in hand
ling or going around them at such times.
They seem to be at peace with all the
world.
sThe queen Is most carefully guarded and
protected by the vi kers. Il queen dies,
other ss as sS5t . sIS ss says
During this time they refuse to work and
are no better than the drones They only
have one queen at time. and It is won
All her wishes r. any trouble comes they
al gather around and cover her up.
II have told you how neat they are IN
tAeir hives. Sometimes put comb In the