BEES AND BEE CULTURE. 



FIG. 31. BINGHAM KNIFE. 



latter a quick, sharp jerk, then by use of Cook's brush, a pine 

 twig, a bunch of asparagus, or a large feather, brush oil the 

 bees. If the honey is capped over, it must be uncapped. To 

 do this we ought to have a knife (Fig. 31) with a beveled edge. 

 Such knives are incomparably superior to others. While extract- 

 ing through the season it is best to extract just before the bees 



cap the honey. This prevents 

 t. the labor of uncapping, and if the 

 honey is kept in a dry, warm room 

 (and honey should never be kept 

 in any other) there will be no danger of fermentation. While 

 extracting, if any of the combs have uncapped brood in them 

 we must turn with a gentle motion, and some longer. This will 

 extract all the honey, and disturb none of the larvae. 



After it is extracted, the honey should be kept in an open 

 barrel or can, with a porous cloth spread over it. This secures 

 the requisite evaporation, so that the honey " ripens " as thor- 

 oughly as if left in the hive till capped. In extracting in the 

 fall, when gathering has ceased, the bee-tent already referred to 

 is all-desirable. 



HANDLING BEES. The fear of bees, which 

 deters so many from becoming bee-keepers, is 

 entirely unnecessary. Unless the sting of bees 

 is terribly poisonous, no one need hesitate for 

 this reason. I have had classes for the past 

 fifteen years ranging from fifteen to forty, and 

 of the whole number only two would be inter- 

 dicted from this cause. The sting from a bee 

 also inoculates, so that the poison from each 

 successive sting is less and less virulent. 



Again, the young bee-keeper can so protect himself by veil, 

 gloves though these will soon be discarded as undesirable and 

 clumsy and bee-tent, already referred to, that stings will not 

 be received at all. Soon, with experience, all dread or fear of 

 this kind will wholly disappear. The best bee-veil (Fig. 32) is 

 made by sewing black tarlatan to a common, cheap hat. The tar- 

 latan should be strong. If gloves are used, rubber ones are best. 



FIG. 32. 



