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Advanced Bee Culture 



where the hive will be in the shade. 

 A tree on the edge of the woods is 

 chosen, as, when a swarm reaches 

 the woods, it at once begins a search 

 for a suitable hollow in which to 

 make its home. The hives are ex- 

 amined as often as once a week, 

 oftener if there is time, and when 

 one is found occupied the tree is as- 

 cended by the use of climbers, the 

 box lowered by means of a rope, 

 and another box fastened up in its 

 place. J\Ir. Fenton attributed his 

 success to the fact that the farmers 

 near him who had a few bees did 

 not watch them, but let the swarms 

 go to the woods, and, further, there 

 was no layn^e timber for many miles 

 around. 



In all probability, more of my 

 readers would be able to secure 

 bees bv finding and cutting bee- 

 trees than by putting out decoy 

 hives; and, as the subject will not 

 be touched upon elsewhere, I will 

 here describe how bee-trees are 

 found. In principle, it is simpl}' 

 that of putting out honey, in times 

 of scarcity, when bees will "rob," 

 watching the loaded bees as they 



Decoy Hive in Position. 



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home, and following the "line" of 

 bees to the tree ; but there are many details the observance of which 

 greatly aids the hunter in his search. Those who hunt bees to any 

 great extent use what is called a "bee-box.'' This is a small box made 

 in two parts, the lower half being used to hold a piece of comb filled 

 ^\ith honey, while the upper part, or cover, is used principally for catch- 

 ing the bees and getting them at work upon the "bait." The top of 

 the upper part is covered with a glass, and a short distance below the 

 glass is a horizontal sliding partition; while still lower, just at the 

 lower edge of one of the sides, is a small opening covered on the 

 inner side with glass. Equipped with his box and a bottle of diluted 

 honey, the bee-hunter begins operations in some field or cleared spot 

 near the forest in which he expects bee-trees may be found. The honey 

 is diluted with an ec|ual amount of water, as it enables the bees to load 



