A Bee-Man of the 'Forties, 



in the process, or that the bees would commence their 

 descent and settle, usually in one of the apple trees, very 

 soon after the din beg-an. 



The rapid growth of the swarm-cluster was always one 

 of the most bewildering things to watch. From a little 

 dark knot no bigger than the clenched hand, it swelled in 

 a moment to the size of a half-gallon measure, growing in 

 girth and length with inconceivable swiftness, until the 

 branch began to droop under its weight. A minute more, 

 and the last of the flying bees had joined the cluster ; the 

 stout apple-branch was bent almost double ; and the com- 

 pleted swarm hung within a few inches of the ground, a 

 long cigar-shaped mass gently swaying to and fro in the 

 flickering light and shade. 



The joyous trek-song of the bees, and the clanging 

 melody of key and basin, died down together. The old 

 murmuring, songful quiet closed over the garden again, 

 as water over a cast stone. To hive a swarm thus easily 

 within reach was a simple matter. Soon the old bee-man 

 had got all snugly inside the skep, and the hive in its self- 

 appointed station. And already the bees were settling 

 down to work ; hovering merrily about it, or packed in the 

 fragrant darkness busy at comb-building, or lancing 

 straight off to the clover-fields, eager to begin the task of 

 provisioning the new home. 



35 



