Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16
Continued from Eleventh Page

Continued from Eleventh Page
the skunk. The United States Bureau Of Bio
logical Survey was called upon recently to help
meet this contingency and a wire telling what
to do was forthwith dispatched to bee cul-
turist in Oklahoma. who had sent In some
what frantic o S.
The leader Of a survey patrol, sent out to
flush the enemy, observed him at work two
nights when the moon Shone full Illuminating
his wicked maneuverings. The skunk had
carefully planned method. He approached the
front Of the hive cautiously and played upon
It bright tattoo with his front feet and claws.
The bees cold and sluggish, came out to see
who might be there at such an hour of the
night and as fast as they appeared IN the
doorway were Tapped up by msectivorous Mr..
Skunk.
One skunk. examined. had 265 identifiable
bees in his tummy and any number Of par
italy digested bees 1t is said that whole
colonies Of bees IN Arizona have been wiped
out by this formidable enemy.
But better even than bees the skunk likes
pork cracklings. 1t was this gastronomic crav-
ing that the survey patrol played upon in its
effort to rescue the Oklahoma bees. Strychnine.
a deadly poison, was mixed with ground pork
cracklings and four skunks fell the first night.
Later seven others were taken in the vicinity
Of the threatened hives.
c NCE the bee specialists are answering
y in their determination to increase the eff
ficiency rating Of American bees, it has been
necessary for the Government to promote in
diverse ways the popularity of honey. There is
a salutary reason for this too. Eminent ply
sicians have declared that it contains the most
beneficial Of all sugars.
The chemical properties OF honey are being
studied by chemists and methods of inducing
changes in it that will open new fields for
its use are being sought.
Recipes for honey candies have been given
particular attention, with the result that secret
formulas have already been developed by some
manufacturers of CONNECTIONS A growing num-
Der of housekeepers use it in preference to
sugar for Sweetening cereals cakes and bever-
served with hotcakes and waf1es.
Honey blends to suit the varied tastes of
famous epicures are mentioned in ancient htera-
ture and, in their effort to revive old uses and
develop present possibilities, home economics
sleuths are culling musty volumes for bright
ideas.
The early Romans. for instance, often mem
toned the honey bee and honey in their
writings, and among the different products
enumerated are water honey saltwater honey,
water mead, rose honey and honey foam Now,
all Of these names have sound so lucious as
to make the mouth water and inspire present.
day cooks to prick up their ears. The chemists
hope soon to reveal just how the variations
were arranged.
Furthermore the chemists coming to the res
cue OF the bees reputatio have been conduct
ing an experiment which shows a perfection of
workmanship well worthy of the painstaking
effort of this insect in making honey For So
years they have kept at hand a batch of white
clover honey which they test at intervals to
see If and how it has deteriorated
NNCE it was almost colorleSs, but time has
~ altered 1t until it resembles black-strap
molasSes. The flavor has changed until 1t now
tastes somewhat like buclwheat honey, hut tits
ssaA Eocshy Of place on the breakfast table.
1.-The chemists wfl keep tasting it until the
supply - exhausted or 1t ID no longer ut for con-