20 BEES. 
at bees which fly toward them or make some quick movement of the 
head or hand to avoid the sting which they fear is to follow. This 
should not be done, for the rapid movement, even if not toward the 
bee, is far more likely to be followed by a sting than remaining quiet. 
The best time to handle bees is during the middle of warm days, 
particularly during a honey flow. Never handle bees at night or on 
cold, wet days unless absolutely necessary. The work of a beginner 
may be made much easier and more pleasant by keeping gentle bees. 
Caucasians, Carniolans, Banats, and some strains of Italians ordi- 
narily do not sting much unless unusually provoked or except in bad 
weather. Common black bees or crosses of blacks with other races 
are more irritable. It may be well worth while for the beginner to 
procure gentle bees while gaining experience in manipulation. Later 
on, this is less important, for the bee keeper learns to handle bees 
with little inconvenience to himself or to the bees. Various remedies 
for bee stings have been advocated, but they are all useless. The 
puncture made by the sting is so small that it closes when the sting 
is removed and liquids can not be expected to enter. The best 
thing to do when stung is to remove the sting as soon as possible 
without squeezing the poison sac, which is usually attached. This 
can be done by scraping it out with a knife or finger nail. After 
this is done the injured spot should be let alone and not rubbed with 
any liniment. The intense itching will soon disappear; any irritation 
only serves to increase the afterswelling. 
Before opening a hive the smoker should be lighted and the veil 
put on. <A few puffs of smoke directed into the entrance will cause 
the bees to fill themselves with honey and will drive back the guards. 
The hive cover should be raised gently, if necessary being pried loose 
with a screwdriver or special hive tool. When slightly raised, a 
little more smoke should be blown in vigorously on the tops of the 
frames, or if a mat covering for the frames is used, the cover should 
be entirely removed and one corner of the mat lifted to admit smoke. 
It is not desirable to use any more smoke than just enough to subdue 
the bees and keep them down on the frames. If at any time during 
manipulation they become excited, more smoke may be necessary. 
Do not stand in front of the entrance, but at one side or the back. 
After the frames are exposed they may be loosened by prying 
gently with the hive tool and crowded together a little so as to give 
room for the removal of one frame. In cool weather the propolis (bee 
glue) may be brittle. Care should be exercised not to loosen this 
propolis with a jar. The first frame removed can be leaned against the 
hive, so that there will be more room inside for handling the others. 
During all manipulations bees must not be mashed or crowded, for it 
irritates the colony greatly and may make it necessary to discontinue 
447 
