167 
ing a few stands of bees is a mystical science or learned 
secret that they will never be able to comprehend, 
much less practice. 
In the following lines we give the true explanation of 
all the “receipts for taming bees,” “secrets,” and 
“ bee-charm drugs,” which have been sold to a con- 
fiding public, and the whole of the alleged art of 
“charming and taming bees 
ist. Bees filled with honey or other “ liquid sweets,” 
will not sting, unless hurt. 
2d. Bees, when alarmed, will fill themselves from 
any liquid sweets given them, or from the honey con- 
tained in their combs. 
Bees can be alarmed either by b' owing a cloud of 
smoke upon them, or by confining them to their hive, 
and rapping on it for a short time. 
Before a swarm issues from its hive, the bees prepare 
for their flight by filling themselves with honey ; and 
when thus filled, they are very docile. Frequently 
other bees, not being in the hive to fill themselves, join 
the swarm, and if sprinkled with a little sweetened 
water, until satisfied, we can shake and brush them 
about, drive them into a basket or box, look among 
them for the queen, or perform any operation, and they 
will not sting unless we compel them to do so by hurt- 
ing them. 
