BEE-HUNTING. 



42 



BEE-HUNTING. 



us remarked that he once knew a very ex- 

 pert climber who took all the bees out of the 

 trees for miles around, but was (inally killed 

 instantly by letting his hands slip, as he was 

 getting above a large knot in the tree. We 

 do not wish to run any risks where hmnan 

 life is at stake. 



CLIMBERS FOR BEE-HUNTERS. 



For climbing trees 12 or 18 inches in di- 

 ameter, a pair of climbers should be used, 

 such as can be obtained at any telej^hone 

 office. 



If the tree is large, the climber provides 

 himself with a withe or whip, of some 

 tough green bongli, and bends this so it will 

 go around the trunk, while an end is held in 

 eacli liand. As he climbs npward, this is 

 hitched up the tree. If he keeps a sure 

 and lirm hold on this whip, and strikes his 

 feet into the trunk lirmly, he can go up the 

 most forbidding trees rapidly and safely. 

 Some light cord, a clothes-line for instance, 

 should be tied aroinid his waist, so he can 

 draw np such tools as he may need. Those 

 needed are a sharp ax, hatchet, saw, and 

 an auger to bore in to see just how far the 

 hollow extends. If the bees are to be saved, 

 the limb or tree shoidd be cnt off above the 

 hollow, and allowed to fall. A stout rope 

 can be then tied about the log hive, passed 

 over some limb above, the end brought down 

 and wrapped about a tree nntil the hive is 

 cut off ready to lower. After it is doM'n, 

 let it stand an hour or two, or nntil smidown, 

 when all the bees will have found and en- 

 tered the hive ; then cover the entrance with 

 wire cloth, and take it home. 



There are some trees, indeed, so large that 

 it would be impossible to climb them with 

 the implements already given. A very in- 

 genious plan, however, has been put into 

 execution by Mr. Green Derrington, of Pop- 

 lar Bluff, Mo. We give his description, to- 

 gether with an engraving made from a 

 photograph which he sent. 



I scud you a photogrupli of a very large tree, 

 wliicli 1 climbed by means of spikes and staples. To 

 pieveiit tlio possibility of falling- 1 put a belt under 

 my ai-nis. To this I attached two chains. At the 

 end of each chain Is a snap. My method of cUmblng 

 is as follows: After ascending the ladder as far as I 

 can go I drive into the side of the tree a large bridge 

 spike, far enough into the wood to hold my weight. 

 A little further up I drive another spike. In be- 

 tween the spikes I drive the first staple, and to this 

 I attach the first chain by means of flie snap, and 

 Hscend by the nails as far as thc^ chain will allow me; 

 1 then drive another staple, and attach the other 

 chain, and next loosen the lower snap. After driv- 

 ing in more spikes. I again ascend as higli as tlie 

 chain will allow me, and attach the other chain to 



A BEE-TREE, ELEVEN FEET IN DIAMETER, 

 CLIMBED BY GREEN DERRINGTON. 



another staple. In this manner I can make my as- 

 cent with perfect .security. 



The tree stands close to the Black River, in a 

 graveyard, and from It I obtained .50 lbs. of hone.y. 

 Regular climbers are excellent for small trees, say 

 from two to three feet in diameter ; but the tree 

 illustrated has such a rough and uneven bark, and 

 is so large that it would be difficult to climb it with- 

 out the aid of spikes and the staples I have men- 



