“There is something in the scout book about bees,” reminded Natalie.
“Yes, you can win a badge by passing the test. But it is not that, so much, as the fact that you have a fine farm and plenty of room for bees. It is a shame not to have them,” said Miss Mason.
When the car drove in at the side-gate, the girls found the scouts from Solomon’s Seal Camp waiting on the porch for news of the adventure. With them sat Dorothy Ames, Nancy Sherman, and Hester Tompkins. Their interest in the day’s trip proved their interest in the corporation with one cow for an asset.
There was wild rejoicing when it was learned that a fine little cow with the name of Sue, was purchased and would come to Green Hill on Saturday to live. Then they heard about the little calf which Janet claimed for herself. Planning for the comfort of the cow and calf continued until Rachel came out to say: “Stead of doing so much talkin’ why don’ you-all go to the barns and ack on your idees. Dat cow-shed what’s there now ain’t fit fer nuttin!”
Laughing at this practical admonition from Rachel, the troop of girls went to the barn to consult with Sam about making a nice new shed for Corporation Sue.
The next morning the girls from the house visited the scouts at the camp to discuss further the idea of keeping bees. Miss Mason got out the handbook and turned to the page where it speaks of bee-keeping. She read aloud:
- What constitutes a swarm of bees? How do they live? Tell how honey is gathered and stored and honeycomb is built, and what part the queen, drones, workers, play in the life of the colony.
- Be able to recognize and describe each of the following: queen, drones, workers, eggs, larvae, pupae, honey, bee-food, wax, pollen, propolis, brood-nest, comb, different queen cells.
- Have a practical knowledge of bee-keeping and assist in hiving a swarm examining a colony, removing the combs, finding the queen, putting foundation in sections, filling in and removing supers, and preparing honey in comb, and strained for market, and present a certificate to this effect.
- Know which flowers afford the best food for bees and how honey varies according to the flowers in color and flavor.
“Now, girls,” concluded Miss Mason, “I suggest that Janet have first choice to decide whether she wishes to start a bee colony, or whether she waives her right as the stock-farmer scout and prefers to join us in keeping bees.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought of bees, Miss Mason. I’ll have so much to do after Susy comes, with all the rest of my live-stock, that taking care of bees will be out of the question,” said Janet.
“Then we can add another asset to our scout corporation and get some bees to start a colony, eh?” ventured Miss Mason.