30 



Beekeeping 



from the weather. It is most important that the joint or 

 dovetail be painted as decay starts there in unpainted hives. 

 White paint (white lead and raw linseed oil) is to be pre- 

 ferred as it makes a cooler hive than dark colors. For the 

 sake of the appearance of the apiary, all hives should be of 

 the same color. This is also important if one wishes to 

 interchange hives in the apiary. 



The hive, as it has been discussed so far, is essentially 

 the home of the bees and is occupied by them throughout 

 the year. This portion is usually known as the brood- 

 chamber. For surplus honey, on which the beekeeper de- 

 pends for his profit, additional parts are needed and these 

 are discussed in connection with the production of the 

 various kinds of honey. 



Equipment for handling bees. 



A few special tools are necessary in handling bees. A 

 good smoker (Fig. 24), consisting of a tin or copper receptacle 



in which to burn rotten wood or 

 other materials, with a bellows at- 

 tached to force a draft, is in- 

 dispensable. The medium-sized 

 smokers are best for the beginner 

 and the professional beekeeper may 

 learn by experience what size is 

 best suited to his needs. The 

 German beekeeper often uses a 

 specially constructed pipe (Fig. 

 25), which is naturally a dual-pur- 

 pose tool. 



A veil of black material, prefer- 

 ably of cotton netting with a silk 

 tulle front (Fig. 26), is needed to 

 protect the face from stings. Even 

 a seasoned beekeeper, who some- 

 times likes to brag that he never uses a veil, may find it 

 convenient to have a veil thrown back on his hat, which can 



FIG. 25. German beekeep- 

 er's pipe. 



