The Honey Bee 



1401 



than is actually needed to subdue them. Too much smoke will 

 cause them to stampede and drop off the combs when handling, 

 especially the blacks and hybrids. Occasionally, a colony will 

 need an extra amount of smoke to subdue them. (Queens produc- 

 ing such stock should be superseded as it is a nuisance to the bee- 

 keeper, if not to others, to have them around, and in some loca- 

 tions would prove a hazard to the business. 



When handling bees, the apiarist should be stationed at the 

 side or rear of the hive, so as to disturb the working force of 

 the colony as little as possible. 



Occasionally the life of a bee will be sacrificed in manipulating 

 them, but care should be exercised that the number of such be 

 reduced to the minimum. 



Careless apiarists frequently kill bees by the hundred, by 

 mashing them between hives, frames, etc., and then wonder why 

 their bees are so cross. Perhaps nothing will arouse the anger 

 of a colony more quickly than crushing some of their number, 

 which besides being cruel is also unprofitable. Other causes of 

 offense are a sudden jar of the hive or combs, quick movements, 

 blowing the breath upon the bees, and the odor of perspiration. 

 It is well to avoid all of these in handling and to work from the 

 side of the hive toward which the wind, if any, is blowing. 



Some amateurs handle their bees only in the morning or even- 

 ing when the weather is comparatively cool, thinking that is the 

 best and only time. Toward the middle of a warm day is a much 

 better time for them to attempt such work, as the bees are in 

 better mood, and many of the old bees, — which by the way, are 

 the ones that object most to being handled — are absent in the 

 fields. 



Of course the professional apiarist with extensive apiaries must 

 frequently handle his bees at any and all times of day, in order 



Fig. 59. Handling of frames 



