GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Sept. 15. 



bedstead. It is a cosy place for all of these pur- 

 poses near these trees." 



" You vas welcome to the bunk-house orlany 

 place at the ranch," said kind Mr. Ghering; 

 "but if you prefer the pench and the trees it 

 vas good to be intependent;" and Mr. Ghering 

 and Matt left Fred to the enjoyment of his new 

 quarters. 



The day's busy work had it's wearing effect 

 upon Fred, and he soon rolled himself in his 

 blankets upon his new work-bench. The tired 

 muscles soon relaxed, and he slept soundly 

 until aroused by nature's alarm - clock, the 

 mockingbird. 



Whistles, squalls, and melody resounded from 

 an overhanging branch; 

 and though it was in the 

 earliest glow of the morn- 

 ing Fred arose to plan for 

 the labors of the day. 



The bees were all quiet, 

 save a prosperous hum- 

 ming in the hives; and 

 Fred, with mattock in 

 hand, strolled out to his 

 path upon the face of the 

 cliff, and made further 

 enlargements where ne- 

 cessary. This done, and 

 breakfast prepared and 

 eaten, the hives were 

 again taken in hand. 



"It's meself that's with 

 yees," said Matt Hogan 

 as he suddenly strode out 

 of the little fringe of 

 bushes near the work- 

 bench. "I have half a 

 day off, and will help yees 

 and learn about the bees." 



" Weil, now, that is fine; 

 but we shall have to learn 

 together, for this cave- 

 bee miiiiagement is entire- 

 ly new to me; but when 

 we get them into the hives, 

 perhaps I can then teach 

 you something. Now, 

 Matt, you see these hives and frames—" 



"I certainly do see them, Fred, for they're 

 furninst me two eyes." 



"Well, you see they are much out of shape. 

 They have the disease known as the weewams, 

 and need doctoring. We want to give them a 

 dose of hammer and nails; and while I do the 

 hammer act, you may tighten up these fine 

 wires in these frames this way— see? and put 

 in new ones from this spool where they are 

 broken or entirely missing." 



"That I will, and do it loike a daisy; and 

 sure is it telephone wires for the king-baa they 

 are?" said Matt. 



" That's a queer idea. Matt; but, no; those 



wires are used for supporting foundation comb 

 like this remnant here — see? But I want all 

 of these wires in for transferring purposes, as I 

 will show you soon." 



Ten hives were ready for the bees; and, look- 

 ing at his watch, Fred said it was now half- 

 past eight o'clock, "and we can work with the 

 bees better now than we could at an earlier 

 hour." 



Smokers and veils were brought into use. 

 Several journeys were made along the cliff, 

 and all of the proper tools were deposited down 

 near the cave and bees to be operated upon. 

 Finally Fred took the mattock and knocked 

 away the pieces and cut a large opening into 



MATT HOGAN AND FRED AT THE CLIFF. 



the vicinity of the colony he had uncovered a 

 few days before. 



" Now, Matt, you blow smoke in here while I 

 clip away the chalk, and we'll soon have these 

 fellows out." 



"Out!" said Matt, vehemently; "be gorry, 

 what does yees call it but out they are now? 

 Wo-o-o! the roar makes me faale quare, and 

 me kuaa-caps are all of a rattle." 



"Oh! you will get used to that," said Fred, 

 as he cut out a large section of comb contain- 

 ing honey and brood. Brushing the adhering 

 bees in front of the hive, the comb was laid 

 carefully upon a board, and trimmed to fit 

 inside the hive-frame. " Now, here is a trick 



