BEE-KEEPING 257 



On the other hand, nervous jerky move- 

 ments, jarring of frames, knocking against 

 the hive, etc., irritate the bees to such an 

 extent that they rush out to inflict punish- 

 ment on the unlucky offender. 



It should be borne in mind that bees are 

 more amenable at certain seasons and under 

 certain conditions than at others. For 

 instance, in spring, when they have few. if 

 any, stores to guard, and when honey is 

 coming in freely, they may be approached 

 without veil or smoker, whereas, in autumn, 

 after they have been robbed of the 

 fruits of their labour, they are very 

 fierce. 



In hot weather they are also often very 

 irritable, and any necessary manipulating 

 should be done either very early in the 

 morning or in the cool of the evening. If 

 bees are found to be fierce and excited, it is 

 not advisable to persist in one's operations, 

 rather leave them for a day or so, till they 

 have calmed down. To be able to judge 



VI. R 



