The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1866]: Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarianNeighbor, Alfred
Science
The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1866]: Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarian
Having suffered loss in our own apiary from the attacks of wasps, we
feel it desirable to give a detailed account of our troubles from that
cause. A Ligurian stock was besieged and worried by wasps to such
an extent, that the bees deserted it on the 5th of September, 1864.
Fortunately, the bees chose a time for their departure just as we
visited the apiary. An unusual turmoil was heard in the hive, such as
is experienced at the time of swarming, and on immediately examining
the entrance, we observed that the bees were quitting in tumultuous
haste. The usual methods that induce bees to settle were tried--amongst
others, that of throwing sand up into the air, so that it should
fall down amongst the bees on the wing; but they were dispersed in
disorder, and their flight extended over three adjacent gardens. We
only discovered the clustered bees by diligent search, as the sequel
will show. Permission being asked of our next-door neighbour, we
searched his garden to see if our bees had alighted there; but found
that they had passed over. Making a similar application to the owner
of the garden adjoining, we entered, having a straw hive in hand, but
no bees were there. After looking diligently all round, and climbing
the wall, thereby gaining a view of the third garden, we perceived
in it unmistakable signs of an unwonted commotion. The occupiers of
the house were intently looking at a particular part of the garden,
and there was a dust-pan and a key, with which the master had been
"tanging the bees," to induce them to settle. We quickly made for the
proper entrance to the garden, and soon discovered our little wanderers
clustered to a large flower-vase. Our neighbours, however, were
sadly disappointed of their prize, for the gardener had hastily been
dispatched into the town to purchase a hive for the welcome colonists.
In depriving our neighbours of a so unexpected and cheaply-acquired
treasure, we could sympathise with their regret, having been much
disheartened half an hour before at our own loss; but, of course, we
could do no other than claim our own bees. We gladly agreed to defray
the expense of the straw hive that had been purchased for the sake of
our truant swarm. After brushing the bees into the hive, and leaving
it propped up with a stick, in order that the stray ones might join,
we returned home for an hour or so, to give them time to settle. Judge
of our vexation when, on returning to fetch the hive home, we found
that the refractory creatures had again taken flight, and that all the
work was to do over again. The wasps were not to blame for this second
flight of the Ligurians; we judged that the swarm had been disturbed
by visits from a colony of bees that we discovered were living the
life of outlaws under the roof of an adjoining house. Although much
disheartened and perplexed, we at once renewed our search, and, upon
inquiry, found that the missing bees had taken a southerly course
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