1857.] The Honey Bee. 291 



the form of sugar and water, you secure the same product in return 

 with the water diminished it may be in quantity, which will some- 

 times be found crystallized in the combs, and then of course you 

 have not syrup but sugar. 



We once knew a bee-keeper who manufactured large quantities of 

 what he was pleased to call honey, and sold it in the market for honey 

 made from the offal and scrapings of sugar casks, gathered from the 

 wholesale groceries, of the city, which — though after skimming'and 

 straining — must be a savory beverage to be retailed at twenty-five 

 cents per pound as honey. Upon this subject as upon other parts of 

 this business we are posted. We were met a few years since by a 

 Yankee pedlar from Vermont, who had an extroardinary hive with 

 which he promised by the feeding process to do wonders. It was 

 denominated, Arza Gilmore's Patent, and proposed when it should 

 be properly constructed, to confederate numerous swarms into one 

 grand republic : something like our States, united in one govern- 

 ment. It was so arranged as that at any time you could strengthen 

 the weak, and at all times make the strong stronger. By feeding 

 such a community you could greatly increase the product of the 

 bees, and manufacture just such an article as you wanted. It was 

 regarded as a great secret, and was invaluable to the man that would 

 purchase the same. The secret ran as follows, (for it is now out 

 and full indemnity has been had for it.) Take one part Cuba honey, 

 one part sugar, (white or brown, according to the quality of honey you 

 would manufacture,) add two parts water making four proportionals, 

 simmer them to gather; skim, and feed while tepid, and you will 

 secure in return seventy-five per cent, good honey, a most delicious 

 article equal to the nectar of flowers, especially if you feed loaf-sugar. 

 The statement ran further, we have secured one thousand pounds 

 of such honey, worth from twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound 

 from three hives in one season. Gfreat discovery ! 



Names of Bank Presidents and Cabinet ofiicers, stood conspicuous 

 as vouchers, and cited as authority, appended to most flattering 

 certificates signed and sealed by the Printer ; for we saw no trace 

 of their originals. 



The result was as might be expected, the agent pocketed the 

 money, and the gullible public paid the forfeit; and before all his 

 arrangements for his community (not like, but something similar to 

 Robert Dale Owens among men^ were completed, some two or 

 three hundred dollars according to the taste and means of the pur- 



