h would make a mix-up, and make
it much harder for us to follow the bee that is watering. When we
go on a trip of this kind first we will provide ourselves with a
small glass tumbler; a cover, made of some dark heavy material,
long enough so that when slipped over the glass it will come within
one-fourth of an inch of the open end. Then we will take a few
drops of honey in a small vial, the scent, cloth, and bait of sugar
and water mentioned previously. When we find the bees watering we
take the glass, without cover, and place it over the bee, which
will immediately try to fly and finding himself a prisoner, will
crawl around the upper part of the glass. Previous to this a few
drops of the honey were placed on a piece of cardboard or large
leaf. Then we lift the glass and place the hand under to prevent
the bee escaping and place it on the cardboard or leaf. Now place
the black hood over it and watch the result. There is but one place
for light to enter and this is the narrow opening at lower end of
cover. In a moment the bee can be seen crawling around the bottom,
sometimes reaching down to the cardboard. Now he has found a drop
of the honey and seemingly forgets his sad plight of a moment ago
and proceeds to take a meal. The glass is lifted gently off, the
dark thick cover preventing him from seeing our hand. As soon as he
is loaded he starts and circles many times and then goes home, and
in some manner that we can't explain, tells others of what
delicious sweets he has found. No more water for that bee; he is
bound to come back and search for more honey.

We can go and catch as many bees as we think it necessary, but
generally five or six would be ample. Then the scented cloth is
placed on the ground, a bunch of green bushes laid on the spot
where the cardboard had been sprinkled freely with sweetened water,
and we are soon ready to start on the course, following the
instructions given in previous chapter.

CHAPTER IV.

HUNTING BEES FROM SUMAC.

Sumac begins to bloom about the first of July and continues through
the month. It is unquestionably the greatest source of honey in the
country in which I live. From the time the dew is off until dusk
the bee is busy on it. Every old worn-out field is plentifully
supplied with it and a different variety is found growing in small
patches all over the mountains. I have found more bee trees by the
plan now given than perhaps any other.

We will visit some of these pl