I do not think it possible to remove the bees. The only alternative is
to lessen, if possible, the area and contents of their residence, and
thus force them to swarm. If you can lay open their residence, you might
stupify the bees with fungus smoke, and abstract a portion of their honey.
* * * * *
_Bath, August 1st._
A lady having read in _The Times_ a Bee-master's letter of the 27th
July, on "Hives," would feel greatly obliged if he would inform
her where the Ayrshire hexagonal hive is to be had, its price, and
likewise the cost of setting up the establishment with one hive
to commence with; where to obtain the best bees, and how many are
necessary; and the time to commence keeping them. Would a book on
Bees be of much use to a beginner! An answer will be esteemed a great
favour, if not entailing too much trouble on the "Bee-master."
For Ayrshire hive, write to "Mr. Bruce Taylor, Post-office, Mauchlin,
Ayrshire, N.B."
* * * * *
_Brighton, August 3rd._
Sir,--I have just been reading your excellent and interesting letter
in _The Times_ of this morning, and am induced to write you a second
letter, having despatched one to you last week, soliciting you to be
kind enough to reply to my queries and inquiries therein contained,
and not having received any reply thereto. I can readily imagine you
could not answer all your correspondents, and that your letters in
_The Times_ would contain the information that most of them sought.
Although I have perused them with the greatest pleasure, I do not
find they tell me whether you would be kind enough to sell me any of
the _virgin_ honey which your bees have made this year, which was the
principal point I wished to have solved in my former communication. I
am quite sure you are a gentleman of position, and from your language
I am inclined to believe are a member of the clerical profession; and
as I am unwilling to trespass unreasonably on your valuable time, I
do earnestly beg, if you are unable or unwilling to sell me any of
your _virgin honey of 1864_, you would be so truly obliging as to
furnish me with the name and address of some respectable party in your
locality or neighbourhood, on whom I could depend to purchase what
I might require. I never eat "rancid London," or indeed any "butter
for breakfast," or any other meal, and am not fond of "nasty greasy
bacon;" but as I cannot find any substitute of which I approve but
pure "virgin honey," and know not where I can procure and purchase the
latter from the "grower," I am constantly obliged to eat my dry toast
and bread without any agreeable addition thereto. I am exceedingly
desirous to cultivate a good temper and "sweet disposition;" and
if you would kindly aid me in this by supplying my "honeyed
requirements," or inform me where I can purchase what I wish for, I
shall be most grateful for your reply, if it contain only the name and
address of some respectable person to whom I can make application for
the "pure, unadulterated, virgin honey of 1864," and for which purpose
I enclose you a stamped envelope.
Hoping you will oblige me, and apologising for trespassing on your
valuable time,