1896 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE 



567 



to attend strictly to that business first. He 

 knew that, if he launched into a rehearsal of 

 the unusual occurrences of the night, it would 

 destroy the appetites of his friends, besides 

 interfering with his own. He therefore mildly 

 answered Mr. Buell's questions about bees, and 

 was pleased to note that his symptoms of bee- 

 fever were developing quite rapidly. 



" Mr. Buell," said Fred, " I have one colony 

 of bees on board that is in a different-sized hive 

 from the rest It is what is known as a regular 

 Langstroih hive, while all of the other hives 

 are of different size, both in body and frame. 

 I will make you a present of that colony if you 

 will accept it." 



" Surely, surely, Fred, you lire too generous. 

 I should certainly like the bees for a study, and 

 am willing to pay you for them." 



all good and interesting; but the best for a 

 begiuner is known as the A B C of Bee Culture. 

 The author, Mr. Root, of Medina, Ohio, also 

 publishes a paper. Gleanings in Bee Cul- 

 ture. In order to manage the bees properly 

 you will need a smoker. I have one in my 

 trunk, which is now on the way from Sacra- 

 mento, and which I will show you how to use 

 until you can send for one." 



"But, dear husband," said Mrs. Buell, "you 

 seem to forget what vicious insects you are 

 bringing to the place. We shall all get stung, 

 and you know Alfaretta may be greatly injured 

 by them " 



" Not the least danger," said Mr. Buell. 

 "Alfaretta has been to the old deserted bee- 

 ranch many times. She says the bees have 

 angel wings, and she seems always to be upon 



"HE WILL DIE— DIE." 



" 1 havp already received my pay, Mr. Buell," 

 said Fred, "in your kindness to me when I 

 came ashore here so unceremoniously and in 

 such a plight." 



"I performed only my duty to a fellow-being 

 in distress," said Mr. Buell; "but if you insist 

 upon leaving the bees, I shall think that my 

 bread cast upon the waters at that time is 

 returning in a few days, and with winged 

 crumbs at that. I shall feel myself under 

 many obligations to you; and now that I am to 

 become a bee- keeper, is there not some book 

 upon bee culture that I can get? " 



"Yes," said Fred, "there are several books, 



good terms with them." 



Fred had now fortified the inner man, and, 

 calliag up the episodes of the night, he said, 

 " Mr. Buell, I had something of an adventure 

 last night in which Alfaretta — " 



"Sh— !" said Mrs. Buell, putting up a warn- 

 ing finger. " I think Alfaretta is coming from 

 her room." 



Then the old song was heard; and with the 

 concluding refrain, 



Let me to the wild winds hark. 

 And hear what they say to me, 



she entered the dining-room. 



