314 GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. May 15 



tails suit me, and might not suit anybody else; sary tools. I give two lists — first, those I think 



and if we agree on the general principles the de- absolutely necessary; second, those I find it very 



tails will care of themselves. But, as I stated in handy to have. Personally I possess a few more; 



the January Ke'-uie^v, I had one general rule that but quite a few of them are used so seldom that 



I find to be simple, sure, and safe. " Whenever, I could get along without them, 



in going among my bees, I find a colony that essential tools. 



for one cause or other fails to come up to this One lo-inch back-saw $.68 



standard (i e. , the condition of a newly hived One cross-cut saw i.40 



swarm), I shake it." This brings it up to the one 14-inch wood jack-plane, 2-in. cutter 90 



,.,',.. = ^ One nail-hammer, 1 lb 60 



desired condition, Ohe upholsterer's hammer 30 



A promiscuous shaking will not bring you a one lo-in. half-round woid rasp 28 



pound of honey unless the conditions warrant it; One fouiiold 2-ft. rule 15 



r ^ -r . J ,u u 1 J 1 •! One 6-in. try-square 25 



but It you study the above rale and apply it one combination emery oil-stone, two grits 20 



whenever the bees need it, I am sure you will be One 3'2-in. pocket level 25 



pleased with the results; and this summer I want "777 

 you all to select the worst old loafer you can find; 



■' , , , . 1 1 r •! 1 1 1 • OCCASIONAL TOOLS HANDY TO HAVE. 



and when every thing else has failed, shake It out ^ x, , . ■„ . ,„ 



-■'.'=, . , ' , . One brace and drill set $1.78 



on empty frames, With two-inch starters, leaving One K-inch wood-working chisel 40 



a frame or two of eggs and young brood to keep One J4 " " " 40 



the queen below; and if the results are not en- One lo-mch file 15 



, . , ' y , One screwdriver 35 



tirely satisfactory 1 am no prophet. One side-cmting pliers, 6 in 45 



Redkey, Ind. One 8-inch draw-knile 42 



^ One spoke-shave 20 



One 6-inch carpenter's pincers 15 



CARPENTRY FOR BEE-KEEPERS. Total s^o 



Necessary Tools; "iW to Saw a Board. .^^.^ prices quoted are taken from the catalog 



or a large mail-order house. 



BY F. DUNDAS TODD. Many a father would gladly spend the seven 

 dollars necessary for a bench and the first lot of 



In the bench that was described in the previous tools, or the eleven for the complete outfit; and 



article, space was allowed in the tool-rack for let me assure him it would be as fine a moral in- 



about thirty tools; but that number is not all vestment as he ever indulged in. I have three 



necessary for the man who proposes to make his boys, and the last thing I bother about is to talk 



own hives, or who must do the necessary repair- morals to them; but I do keep them busy doing 



ing about an apiary, or make some of the "con- the things they like 10 do, and it is wonderful 



traptions" recommended by some experimental- how little trouble they are. 



ist. It is really wonderful, the amount of play Now for material to practice on, let me sug- 



one can get out of some of the contrivances we gest that you talk to a carpenter who is building 



find described in the bee-journals. When start- a house near you, and arrange for a load of left- 



ing in to make them I am often reminded of an over scraps of all kinds, thicknesses, widths, and 



old friend of mine who took a keen interest in lengths. For a couple of dollars I got enough 



my early efforts at flower-growing. I was in a lumber to keep myself and boys busy a whole 



hurry to know all about the various kinds of winter — longer, I think. Mr. Officeman, who is 



blossoms, so I sowed every seed that was to be also a bee-keeper, let me tell you that one of the 



found listed in the catalogs of three of the big- pleasantest winters I ever spent was in carpenter 



gest florists in the States. I remember in my work in my basement after I had turned the for- 



third year I had no less than 147 different kinds tieth year of my life. My wife never needed to 



of seeds in my cold-frames. Well, one fine day worry as to where I was, for she knew, and may 



in early March this friend dropped into my office be that was a comfort to her. Who knows.'' I 



to find large packages of seeds lying on my desk, had to learn how to use tools, and I will try to 



and I told him what I was going to do. We impart some of my knowledge to you. 



talked flowers for quite awhile and then he said, About the first thing you will have to learn is 



" Do you know I think there is more fun going to saw. Sawing looks easy, but it is not so easy 



through the catalogs in the winter evenings, an- to cut a piece of wood so that the end will be at 



ticipating the floral beauties of summer, than a true right angle. Somehow or other one leans 



there is in seeing the actual blossoms? The flo- the saw a little over; and when we examine the 



rists can enthuse about a new variety until one cut, it is out of square. This sawing job has 



thinks it must be a wonder; but the reality is caused me more worry than any thing else in 



usually commonplace; but then we have had our carpentry; but I can not say I can do the trick 



fun." That is howl feel about most things. right the first time, even with years of practice. 



The great art is to have something that one is deep- This, however, I have learned: That it is impor- 



ly interested in. So I like to make most of the tant to place the piece of wood at a convenient 



notions that are described, just to see what they height so that one can look down squarely at the 



look like, and I know there are lots of folks just work in hand. I find a box about the height of 



like me; but they think that carpentry is some- a chair suits me very well; but a different height 



thing out of their line, and very expensive. may be better for another. Also much depends 



The editor grants permission, and so I will for upon where one looks when sawing. If I watch 



a while cater to the man who would like to do a the side of the saw next to me I know the cut 



little carpentry if he only knew how. I have will slope in that direction. One friend advises 



told how to make a really good bench at little that it is best to fix the eye on the off side of the 



expense. The next thing is to name the neces- saw, and this is certainly better; but with me 



