122 TAMING BEES. 



of the hives attract their notice, and cause them to 

 attack the person making such motions. 



THIRD. The odor from some perfumes and from 

 the insensible perspiration of some persons, and the 

 breath of persons in bad health, are all offensive to 

 bees, and tend to excite their anger and their propen- 

 sity to sting. 



Bees retain the same unchangeable habits whether 

 they are domiciled in the forest or in the finest flower 

 garden, being even more docile and less liable to 

 sting, when handled for the first time, than at any 

 subsequent time. 



When a hive has been once opened and their 

 combs disturbed, on returning to repeat the same 

 operation a few hours or days afterwards., they re- 

 member it and resent the injury. This proves that 

 they are naturally vindictive, and but few, if any, 

 can ever be taught submission. The latter can only 

 be done by force or bribery, or the two combined. 



The season of greatest irritability is when there 

 is least pasturage ; for while rapidly accumulating 

 stores, they are less careful and more easily and 

 safely handled. 



HOW DONE. 



Smoke is the principal agent to be used. Various 

 things are used for producing it, such as tobacco 

 and rotten wood ; but the most convenient, as well as 

 the least hurtful to the bees, is dry cotten or linen 

 rags rolled in the shape of a large candle (the size of 



