A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



mined the hive should be left in peace until 

 a real smoker was procured. Two weeks 

 elapsed before the handy bellows-like machine 

 arrived. It cost 75 cents, but the comfort 

 of being able to puff as much smoke exactly 

 where it was wanted, instead of into one's 

 own eyes and throat, was worth many times 

 the amount. 



Until I actually discovered the queen, it 

 seemed doubtful that I should recognize or 

 be able to handle her even if I did. How- 

 ever, when seen, her noble ladyship cannot 

 be mistaken. Her shape and color are so dif- 

 ferent to all the others. The delicacy of her 

 body makes handling her rather a nervous 

 proceeding, but a little care and a pair of 

 fine manicure scissors renders it possible for 

 even such an amateur as I was to perform 

 the operation without hurting her. 



When sending after the smoker, we ordered 

 five hives "in the flat," which means the 

 material all cut and ready to nail together. 

 These cost $9.75, and were easily built, as 



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