James Thomson, a British poet born 1700, at Ednam, near Kelso, in
Scotland, was perhaps best known for his poetic works titled ‘The
Seasons’. In his ‘Autumn’, Thomson includes a graphic description of
the destruction of bees in a verse referenced as; 'Bees, Destruction Of.'
After first being published in 1730, the Bees, Destruction Of portion has
become very popular with authors, having been referenced time and again in
many books, especially with the apiarian community where beekeeping
greats; Bonner, Bevan, Neighbour, Langstroth, are amongst the many that
have quoted from; Thomsons; Bees, Destruction Of.
Here I include a portion of
Bees Destruction of:
“Ah, see where, robbed and murdered, in that pit
Lies the still heaving hive ! at evening snatched,
Beneath the cloud of guilt—concealing night,
And fixed o'er sulphur: while, not dreaming ill,
The happy people, in their waxen cells,
Sat tending public cares, and planning schemes
Of temperance, for Winter poor; rejoiced
To mark, full flowing round, their copious stores,
Sudden the dark oppressive steam ascends;
And, used to milder scents; the tender race,
By thousands tumble from their honeyed domes,
Convolved and agonizing in the dust.
And was it then for this you roamed the Spring,
Intent from flower to flower?... <snip> ”
-THOMPSON.
I am seeking historical accounts describing exactly how hives were “fixed
o'er sulphur”. What was the procedure? Illistrations, names of tools
used in the procedure? Reference books, Time of day, time of year, the
recipe that was used and any other details. Thanks!
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Best Wishes,
Joe
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/
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