Perhaps, another obscure fact is the procedure of burying bees, practiced by some beekeepers during the 19c Here are two of my favorite articles on the subject: “My "modus operandi'' is as follows: a hole is dug considerably larger than the hive or hives, in every respect.— On the bottom of the hole two sticks of three or four inches in diameter are placed for each hive, and on these the floor board, which should be a sound one; is placed. Another board, (two inch plank is preferable,) is put on the hive and dry straw is as compactly as is convenient placed around it. This, in rainy weather, if the ground is clear from frost, allows the rain to pass fairly down, while the space between the blocks furnish a ready reservoir, from which it is absorbed by the earth, without offering any injurious effects to the bees. The earth is placed in a conical form, to turn the water from the hives, the top of which about four inches below the surface. With respect to the experiment of 1833-4, I cannot say whether the apertures of the hives were closed, but in that of 1834-5, they were not. This experiment succeeded, but weather it is the best way of proceeding I shall not advise.” Yours, &c. WILLIAM BACON. Richmond, Mass. April, 1835. “Burying Bees. — Mr. Joshua Goodrich of Granger, by way of experiment, buried a hive of bees last November, on the recommendation of Alexander Russell. He took the bottom out of the hive with 4 or 5 pounds of honey, and placed the hive on the top of a heap of potatoes, covering them in the usual manner of burying potatoes. He took them up in the Spring as bright and lively as possible.” — Akron Democrat. 1845, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Best Wishes, Joe http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles **************************************************** * General Information About BEE-L is available at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm * ****************************************************