172 MONEY IN BEES IN AUSTRALASIA 



essential, but a "black fellow's trick" is of some 

 assistance : simply catch one of the bees and gum a tiny 

 speck of down on the thorax. If the bees make a straight 

 dive for home, close to the ground, the hive is not far 

 distant, but should the insects circle once or twice "home 

 sweet home" may be a mile or more away. The down 

 should help in folloAving the "line." 



When the bee-tree is located, nine times out of ten 

 it will have to be fallen to get the bees. Before this 

 occurs, tie up the horse and cart at a safe distance, and 

 get the smoker into working ordei*. A large milk can — 

 to remain in the cart — a couple of buckets, a strong knife, 

 a damp rag to wipe the hands, and some nuclei boxes — 

 each containing a comb — should complete the outfit. 

 When the axes first strike the tree it may be necessary 

 to use veils ; after a little while the jarring will cause the 

 bees to cluster compactly and give no further trouble. 



As soon as the tree falls, blow a little smoke in at the 

 knot-hole entrance, preparatory to splitting off a slab to 

 expose the combs. Cut them from the attachments, brush 

 off any adhering bees with a twig of wattle and place 

 the dark brood-combs in one bucket, reserving the other 

 for honey-comb. When this latter is full it should be 

 emptied into the milk can. Keep a sharp look out for the 

 queen and, if fortunate enough to find her, there will be 

 no difficulty in hiving the bees. With the black race, the 

 queens are rarely seen, and after shaking a number of 

 bees into the nucleus the remainder should be driven 

 with smoke. If any comb containing brood is left in the 

 hollow the bees will not quit. 



When they are all in, close the entrance and they are 

 ready for removal to tlie apiary, where combs of sealed 

 honey, or cakes of sugar candy as advised under 

 "Feeding" (page 139), should be given to tide them over 

 the winter. Unless every particle of comb is removed 

 from the tree it is a vexatious business to get the bees 

 into a box. Bushmen often ask bee-keepers to accompany 

 them on bee-hunting excursions. They fall the tree; the 

 apiarist "robs" the hive; and the spoils are divided. 



