Mr I. Hopkins Transferring and Handling Bees.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue III, 17 January 1903, Page 164

Mr I. Hopkins Transferring and Handling Bees.

The complete subjugation of bees by an expert bee-master affords one of the best illustrations of the power of man over the lower animals. Most of us have learned from experience how readily the bees resent the slightest interference either with themselves or their home, earing nothing for the risk of losing their 'lives so long as they drive off an intruder. It is, therefore, difficult for the majority of us to understand how it is possible for anyone to exercise such control over them as to make them appear to be the most docile creatures under the sun. It is the more marvellous when such control is obtained without the use of smoke or other extraneous aid beyond the will and power of the individual himself. One of the best exhibitions of this nature to be seen in any part of the w erld has been given annually for the past ten years at the Auckland Agricultural Association’s Shows by Mr I. Hopkins, the well-known apiarist. So popular has this feature of the show become that people come from all parts of the country to see it. On the last occasion our artist intended to take a series of photos of Mr Hopkins at his work, but being troubled with the common failing of not being able to be in two places at one time, lie missed the opportunity. Mr Hopkins, however, at our 1 equest, kindly consented to give another exhibition, with the result seen in our illustrations. It is unnecessary for us to give particulars as to the extraordinary manner in which Mr Hopkins controls and handles the bees, as that can be seen in our reprod actions. At the close of the exhibition our artist asked Mr Hopkins a few questions. “How long, Mr Hopkins, have you been practically interested in bees?” "Since 1874, but it was in 1878 when 1 introduced the modern system of bee culture into all parts of Anstra-

lasia that I adopted bee culture as my occupation.” "To what do you attribute chiefly your extraordinary mastery over bees, as demonstrated just now?” “To my long experience and close intimacy with them, and a knowledge of their language.” "Language! Do you mean to tell me that bees have a language?” “Most decidedly! They have a language as clearly understandable by the experienced bee master as his own.” “Will you please explain?” “What is commonly known as the hum of the bee is simply the sound that conveys its thoughts to its fellows—its language, in fact, which, in time becomes familiar to the apiarist. The sound changes with the various moods of the bee. There is the hum of satisfaction, when the colony is prosperous, and honey plentiful.

which is no doubt familiar to most people. There is another, but somewhat similar one, when the bees are swarming, and a most joyful one when they are entering their new home with their queen. A subdued ibut doleful one on discovering the loss of their queen. A sharp hum when they are plainly warning you off, and a much sharper one when they declare war, and go for you. A very peculiar hum when they realise that they have one dealing with them that is more than their match. These are the chief sounds 1 can 4hink of just now. and I can assure you they' are all as clear to me as my own language. I know at once by

their hum what they intend to do, ami I can check in an instant any intention of a warlike nature, hence my mastery over them.” “It has been said that you have no superior in the world at handling bees, is that so?” “That is a pretty stiff question, but, to be candid, I have done, I think, everything possible for a person to do with bees, and very few' attempt to handle them as I do without the aid of smoke or protection.” “Have you had any exciting ex|>erie'.’.ces during your beekeeping career?” "Yes, one or two.” "Will vou relate them?”

“When at Matamata I used frequently to shift bees about from place to place. On one occasion I had

about 40 very strong colonies in twostorey hives on a four-horse waggon. They were well secured, and had travelled all right for nearly five miles, when a sack of potatoes the driver had thoughtlessly put on the waggon rolled down between the Lives, jamming them over, and forcing the covers up. Out poured the bees in great numbers, frightening

the driver, who jumped off his waggon and began to strike at them right ami left. This infuriated the bees, and they went for both him ami the horses. I got on to the waggon to close the hives, but the sack of potatoes was so firmly wedged in that I was some time removing it. All this time the bees had been boiling out of 3 or 4 hives, the poor horses were rear-

ing, plunging, screaming and galloping away by tits and starts, while the driver hung to the polers like a demon. I hail all I could do to hang on above, but at last, during a gaiiop. was thrown off on the off-side just clear of the wheels. At the same moment the leaders swung round on the near side, and were thrown nearly under the waggon. As soon as I could I cut them adrift, and away they went as hard as they could go, and I then went to the assistance of the driver, who was hanging on to the poor polers. while they reared, and plunged, and screamed like human beings. Both the horses and the driver were being fearfully stung, and I did my best to kill the bees on the heads of both horses with the flat of both hands. At last the driver managed to cut the polers adrift, and away they went with the bees after them. We could see the horses in the distance rolling in a frantic manner to get clear of their enemies. Most of the harness was ruined ” “How did the driver get on?” “He had been fearfully stung about the head and face, and after the exeitement was over he nearly collapsed. I got him down to the nearest cookhouse, and then rode as hard as I could to my house and got him some brandy, which gradually brought him round; but he had to lay up for a day or two.” “What about your elf and the hor-

“The horses, to my surprise, gradually recovered, and as for myself. I really cannot remember that I was much the worse from the affray, so I <ould not have been very badly hurt; the excitement, however, while it was on. must have been terrible.” “Is there not a big risk in putting bees in your mouth?” “With myself not so much, but I would most strongly condemn any similar attempt on the part of others till they have* had the same experience as myself.” Our artist then thanked Mr llopI ins and withdrew.