898 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



manner, and&quot; secure the removal of all queen cells; and to see that the hive has facilities for 

 good air in very high temperatures, in fact at all times, but more especially during the days 

 of greatest heat. 



Hiving New Swarms. To the novice in bee keeping, there is always more or less 

 dread attended with working about bees, especially in hiving a new swarm, but to an 

 experienced apiarist, the handling of bees for any purpose is a very simple matter. &quot;When 

 ever working about bees for any purpose whatever, there should be no sudden movements, no 

 haste or excitement of any kind; if there is, the person will be liable to be stung, as the bees 

 would become aroused and excited by such movements. Be careful not to crush a single 

 bee, or allow one to get injured by being in any part of the clothing, as the odor would excite 

 the whole swarm. The same is true if the person handling the bees gets stung, as bees are 

 very susceptible to odors, and the whole colony would be thus rendered combative. There is 

 little or no danger if the person handling them is quiet and slow in movements, and careful 

 in each of these particulars. 



When so unfortunate as to be stung, the best method of procedure is to get out of the 

 way as quickly and in as quiet a manner as possible. Bees seem to have a natural dislike 

 towards some persons, while they permit others to work about the hives and handle them 

 freely, without the least appearance of displeasure. The odor of perspiration is much stronger 

 with some people than others, and this is probably the reason of the dislike manifested by 

 bees towards some individuals. When a person feels timid about handling bees, it may be 

 well to secure a protection against danger by wearing a bee veil tied over the face, and 

 tucked in around the neck and coat in such a manner as to prevent the bees from getting 

 underneath, as shown in a previous cut. Mosquito netting, or any other thin substance that 

 will keep the bees out, and* permit a person to see through, will answer the purpose. The 

 pants may be tied down securely over the boots, and the hands protected by a pair of long 

 skin gauntlets tied securely over the coat cuffs. The hive should be prepared beforehand 

 and ready for use; be sure it is clean, that is, free from all dust, dirt, or other offending 

 substance. 



When the bees settle on a low bush, as they frequently do, shake carefully as possible 

 into the hive as many of the swarm as possible, cover and leave it near where the bees can 

 enter. Sometimes the limb may require cutting or sawing off for this purpose; if so. do it 

 carefully without shaking the mass of the bees more than necessary. If a large portion of 

 the swarm falls upon the ground in attempting to get them into the hive, they may be helped 

 to enter by carefully sweeping them towards the entrance with something soft, such as a soft 

 brush, a bush in full leaf, etc. As soon as they begin to enter, the whole swarm will be 

 sure to follow soon; they will therefore require no further attention until evening, when the 

 hive should be placed where it is to remain permanently. When a swarm settles upon the 

 limb of a tree so high that it is impossible to reach it by a ladder, it may be gently brought 

 down by having a rope tied around it before sawing it off, the end of the rope being passed 

 over a limb somewhat higher to ease its descent as an assistant upon the ground holds the 

 end of the rope and regulates the velocity of its descent. During the swarming season, bees 

 should be watched; by so doing, a swarm will seldom be lost. 



Wintering Bees. Great losses have been sustained in apiaries at the North from the 

 mortality occasioned by severe winters. By proper care, risks can however be obviated or 

 greatly lessened. At the present time the advocates of wintering bees on their summer 

 stands, and those in favor of wintering in cellars, are about equal. Probably neither method 

 will be wholly followed. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Strong colonies with 

 ample stores will probably come forth stronger and hardier in the spring where wintered on 

 outside stands, properly protected in chaff hives, than if kept in the cellar. Bees in cellars 

 consume less food, and the method may very advantageously be practiced where the colonies 

 are weak and have light stores. More care can be shown them in the cellars. Very careful 

 precautions, however, should be observed in preparing the cellar, and in watching its venti 

 lation throughout the winter. The bees should be put in before the coldest weather sets in, 

 and when the hives are perfectly dry. This last caution is very essential. 



The cellar should be n&amp;gt;ade perfectly dark, and the hives should be so arranged that the 

 light from the lamp when going into it will not strike the entrance. It should be kept as 

 nearly as possible at a temperature of 45. The hives should be placed on a rack raised two 

 feet from the cellar bottom. The honey board should be moved to uncover about one-half 

 inch along the upper edge of the brood chamber. Rows may be piled one above the other, 

 to rest on slats laid across the lower row of hives. Preference, however, is to be had for the 



