New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-26
BEEKEEPER'S COTTAGE.
One of the Delightful Features OF
Rural ENGLAND.

H.
1.-THE London Globe" We leave the old river
side city by that western highroad which leads
toward the distant Welsh hills; branch from
this into the old road. of those delightful
"old roads from which the roll of traffic has
long been diverted. and where the grass grows
between the ruts, and hedges and trees regard
not the highway surveyor. We forsake this
again for byl&ne and that in its turn for a
grassy bridlepath. by the side OF which brook
sings merrily under the luxuriant hedgebank;
and arrive at length where the cottage stands
basking in the afternoon sun. which is stoop-
ing toward the blue hills on the southwestern
horizon.
Low the cottage is. and built of some unseen
material hidden behind many coating of warm
yellow plaster. The wide caves show the vast
thickness OF the oft renewed thatch, from the
slope of which two tiny semi-clrcular bedroom
windows peep at US with half shut. sleepy eyes.
A lozenge shaped pattern OF mathematical reg
ularity. worked with the matching cord. runs
round the lower edge Of the smooth straw. On
the broad sills behind the lower easements Is
blaze OF scarlet geraniums-two bright spots
which strike the eye amid the soft tones OF the
little house and it's surroundings On either
side of the path which leads from the front
door to the garden wicket stand orderly rows OF
hives; thirty "skeps' IN all, with just room be-
tween each to allow Of the necessary examina-
ton and manipulation. In the narrow border
under the hedge OF shining privet are the flowers
of our grandmothers' days-the ten-week stocks.
the clustering white pinks. with many a fra
grant gillihower-bright yellow and deep. vel
vety brown. And from within and around the
hives rises the deep hum which tells OF vast
and busy city Beside the garden hedge. and
beneath the branches Of a spreading lime tree
where the bees viii be clustering round the
luscious blossom few weeks hence-another
gate leads into the yard, where half open door
shows a workshop. near which chained collie
pup is stretched at full length on the warm dust
of mother earth. To the dog lover. unskilled in
the ways Of bees and somewhat doubtful as to
his reception among their habitations, this
seems the most desirable approach. The click
or the gate produces nothing worse from the
sentinel on duty than half smothered yelp Of
pleasure and emphatic flourish of his tall
and we are still encircled by his fawning gyra-
lions and caresses when the beekeeper comes
out at side door and makes us welcome
tall and proper man he is, with that quiet
elaboration and seeming slowness Of movement
which is half the battle in the handling and care
OF nervous, eXcitable creatures. His soft brown
eyes are those of one who finds his little world
a very pleasant one. While he talks he lights a
piece of cotton rag drops it into tin tube fitted
to miniature pair OF bellows and after puff
or two to see that all is in working order, leads
the way into the front garden. AS we follow, he
tells us how a bee, gOrged with the days honey
gathering, is a creature willing to be at peace
with the world, and quite ready to make itself
agreeable even TO chance callers. Notwith-
standing this assurance, it Is a rather breath
less moment, that in which our friend lifts the
first roof from hive and shows to our doubtful
gaze the row Of wooden sections crowded with
clustering insects. A puff or two from the bel
lows, however, and all but few stragglers
disappear within the walls of comb Then with
a sure and steady hand section is lifted from
its place and held UP, that we may view fits
thousand inmates, who, at the first breath OF
the dreaded smoke, have FASTENED to prepare
for what may be coming by gorging themselves
with honey. Unroofng one here and another
there, the daily business OF the hive Is shown,
and when the last roof Is replaced we turn, not
without g. silent sigh Of relief, to other details
The contents OF the little garden, the wall
flowers. stocks and pinks, all have a share of at
tention from the honey gatherers. But after
watching few moments, 1t is clear that these
but minute proportion OF the thousands
from the hives. Equally clear is it that to-day
at any rate, it is on one aerial highway alone
that the main army of the little foragers Is
travelling. AS a bee energies from the tiny door
way and rises into the air from the wooden
ledge before 1t, there is no pause. no hesitating
indeciston Save for the few that tri1ing
In the garden there is one route of all-over the
hedge of privet, across the grassy lane, and
away beyond the broad meadow, where the
white faced cattle feeding knee deep in
herbage-there is clearly known goal In view
The beekeeper points to a gentle slope mile
away, where in a large field the green OF some
crop Is thickly powdered with white Thirty
acres OF white Dutch clover" says our friend
with look Of eXultation In his eyes, "the finest
thing In the world for bees-you just taste my
honey this autumn" And then comes the ex-
PLANTATION Of how the tiny sucker" or pro-
boscis, Of the little domestic bee is powerIess to
reach the honey deep hidden in the common red
clover of English fields and pastures, though the
great trunk of his brother, the "bumblebee" at
tains the treasure with ease; and how, never
theless the farmer, having his thoughts intent
other stock than bees, prefers the red clover
as bulking larger in respect of fodder. Hence
the beekeeper'S jubilation at the appearance OF
such a welcome crop in his neighborhood.
The sun Is dipping now below the hills and
the fowls in the orchard behind the cottage are
mastering at the gate in readiness for their
evening meal. They are well bred Buff Orping-
tons, and thriving lot, but the beekeeper
listens to approving compliments with an
entire absence OF that enthusiasm which he
gives to his bees Hungry things-look for mo
to feed EN- twice day all the year round
ask for more than a drop of syrup in the early
spring, but just get their food from the neigh
bors and carry 1t all home to me. That's the
breed Of poultry like" The workshop is packed
from floor to ceiling with the implements of his
trade. Hives complete-save for a coat OF paint
and in fun working order for the next enthu-
siastic visitor who would fain write himself
apiarist; hives in every stage of incomplete
ness stacks Of wood seasoning in the yard
roomy van is slowed away in an adjoining shed
and when the spring comes round once more
the beekeeper will harness his white horse and
drive leisurely away through the pleasant coun-
try side, hating at villages and hamlets where
In the school-or parish-room and under the
auspices of the County Council, he will give
lectures and practical instruction to the farm
ers and IaborerS of the neighborhood. So evil
dent is his enthusiasm, peaceful the scene
under the soft evening sky, and so seemingly
docile and submissive his myriad headed little
flock that we retrace our steps to the town
by another way-there is always another way"
from SUCH cottage as the beekeeper'
we are persuaded to renounce all else for the
pleasant. lettering life Of which we have had a
glimpse.