1889 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



258 



display which I did not admire. It is very difficult 

 to break this with only extracted honey, in any 

 case, but it is well nigh impossible with shelves. As 

 before stated, the monotony can be broken nicely 

 with a photograph, say of father Langstroth, then 

 individual bee-keepers, or some of the many 

 groups, diplomas received at previous exhibitions 

 (of course these diplomas must be put in after the 

 prizes have been awarded); cakes of nice wax, and 

 Mowers in pots, or cut flowers. It is a very good 

 plan to bring along a honey-extractor, and combs 

 with half of the combs on each side uncapped, and 

 out of which you have extracted the honey previ- 

 ously. In this way you can show just how extract- 

 ed honey can be secured. When bringing material 

 for display, bring what is lightest, and will make 

 the most display after considering their advantage 

 otherwise. Articles bad for packing, avoid. 

 Brantford, Canada. R. F. Holtermann. 



Friend H., I believe you are right. 1 have 

 a great many times felt what you describe, 

 when visiting exhibits at fairs. The same 

 thing is also true in the arrangement of 

 grounds, greenhouses, and gardens. A lit- 

 tle bit of variety, even if nothing more than 

 an octagon pyramid between two square 

 pyramids, often gives a peculiar grace and 

 charm to the whole arrangement that would 

 be entirely lacking without it. 



^ i ^ 



ATTIEE FOR THE APIARY. 



MRS. HARRISON GIVES US SOME SUGGESTIONS IN 



REGARD TO THE WAY A BEE-WOMAN 



SHOULD DRESS. 



T FEEL a little slow this morning, so I sit in the 

 |S|p rocking-chair, with Gleanings in my hand, 

 W and admire Rambler in his pretty checked 

 A suit. I really believe he has a bow of natty 

 ribbon at the bottom of his pants; perhaps the 

 button was off, so he tied one around to keep out 

 the inquisitive insects. 



How I envy him that suit, because it is light, 

 cool, and handy! I might raise " von tollar"and 

 get one "zhust a fit; " but if I donned it, a police- 

 man would whistle for the patrol wagon and take 

 me to the calaboose on the double-quick. I should 

 think the bees would investigate the inside of the 

 blouse, as it appears so loose at the bottom; but 

 then a belt buttoned around would easily prevent 

 that. I've tried hats and veils many times, with 

 the result of a pretty sore chin and neck. I could 

 protect my nose, but I could not fasten the veil so 

 that, in working, the bees would not sting through. 

 The brim would keep the veil far enough from my 

 face; but in stooping the bees would sit down on 

 the back of my head and form a chain around my 

 neck. 



I want to dress according to my work, whether it 

 is in the apiary, washing, or blacking a stove. In 

 the apiary I have to guard against heat and stings. 

 I have for many years worn a health-reform cos- 

 tume, with the idea in view of clothing the body so 

 as to promote an equilibrium of circulation and 

 warmth. In warm weather I wear a cotton suit, 

 consisting of waist and drawers; formerly I wore 

 them made in one garment, but I much prefer 

 them separate. The waist is high neck and long 

 sleeves, and is supplied with buttons at the bot- 

 tom, for to button the drawers upon. The drawers 

 reach to the ankles, and are kept in place with a 



strap passing under the foot. I'm clothed when I 

 have on these garments, and I've had bees creep 

 up from my feet and come out at the neck, without 

 stinging. The hose are drawn up over the drawers, 

 and at times I fasten the sleeves tightly around my 

 wrists. If I go to work in the apiary with slippers 

 on, I generally have cause to regret it, as I get 

 stung in the feet, so I wear a leather shoe. 



When working in the apiary, if I had to wear cor- 

 sets, bustle, and two or three skirts, I should cry 

 out about bee-keeping being too hard work for 

 women, just as Mrs. Chaddock does, and throw mud 

 at those who venture to attempt it. I keep my 

 bee-dress hanging in the honey-house; and when I 

 work in the apiary I take off my house dress, hang 

 it up, and put this on. When the thermometer is 

 playing around one hundred in the shade, I wear a 

 skirt and linen sacque. I put on my wire hat, then 

 the sacque which covers up the cape, so no bees 

 can possibly get at my head, fasten the sleeves 

 tightly at the wrists, then the skirt. I do not let 

 the bottom of the sacque hang loose; if I do not 

 wear an apron tied around me I put the skirt-band 

 over it. I'm not dressed for company, but for 

 work in the apiary, protected from stings and from 

 being overcome with heat. Should company call, 

 or when dinner is ready, I retire to the honey-house, 

 wash, and put on my ordinary clothing, which 

 takes but a moment. I'm warm, and I need more 

 clothing when I sit in the shade. 



Women who are not very young or strong can do 

 a great deal of work in the apiary if they manage 

 well. We have about thirty colonies of bees on the 

 east side of our house, and they are in the shade 

 after two o'clock. If there are sections to be put 

 on or removed, or any other work to be done here, 

 I do it when the hives are in the shade. There ai - e 

 other colonies that can be worked with in the 

 morning, when they are shaded. 1 could not work 

 with the hot sun pouring down upon my head. 



We run our apiary for comb honey, but I extract 

 several hundred pounds every year, and in a quiet 

 way, so that the family are not aware of it. When 

 I know where I can get some honey to extract, I 

 take my tin comb-basket, remove the filled combs 

 to it, put empty ones in their place, and carry them 

 to the honey-house. When I've extracted them I 

 put them in the bucket, snap the cover over the 

 uncapping-can, cover up the extractor, change my 

 clothes, and no one knows what I've been doing, 

 but find out next fall and winter. I never do any 

 big day's work in the apiary, unless I am driven to 

 it in swarming time. Mrs. L. Harrison. 



Peoria, 111. 



My good friend Mrs. H., I am glad you 

 have given us these suggestions. As soon 

 as I saw what Rambler had said, 1 remark- 

 ed at once to Ernest that somebody should 

 give us some suggestions for a woman's 

 suit. I suppose you know that I do not at 

 all believe or advocate that women should 

 dress as men do, therefore I am glad you 

 have such strict "police regulations" in 

 Peoria. I think you have got the idea of a 

 bee-dress for women exactly, if I under- 

 stand you. A woman can dress just as 

 comfortably as a man, and she can protect 

 herself from stings; and then, for the very 

 reason you give, she should have something 

 light to throw over this working suit to 

 make herself look womanly, and that she 

 may not attract attention from passers-by. 



