1162 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



To smoke bees, which in nearly all cases will quiet them so 

 they will not sting unless pinched, a " bellows smoker " (Fig. 

 33) is very desirable. To use these we blow a little smoke into 

 the entrance of the hive, then take off the cover and smoke 

 them thoroughly from above. This smoking causes the bees to 

 fill with honey, in which state they are kind and amiable. The 

 black and Italian bees are almost always easily subdued by 

 smoke. The Cyprian and Syrian bees are sometimes uncontroll- 

 able by its use ; for which reason the beginner better always 



have Italian bees. To smoke bees, 

 nothing is better for fuel than wood 

 in the first stage of decay. 



It is well known to all bee- 

 keepers that nothing irritates bees 

 like quick motions ; therefore in 

 handling bees he who would not 

 be stung must never strike at them, shake his head, or in any 

 way act as if nervous. It is doubtless this quick jerks or 

 movements which causes some to be stung so frequently, in- 

 stead of any odor of perspiration. 



In case bees attack one while he is unprotected, it is better 

 to cover the face with the hands and quietly walk into the near- 

 est room, or bury the head in thick grass or bushes. If horses 

 are attacked they should be driven quickly into a barn, as bees 

 are slow to enter a building. Ammonia is the best antidote for 

 bee poison. If horses are badly stung, blankets wet in cold 

 water should be spread over them. 



COMB FOUNDATION. This is made of bees-wax, and except 

 for thickness, is nearly like the natural comb just as the bees 

 commence to raise the cells, and is as acceptable to the bees. 

 As foundation saves the bees the expensive work of secreting 

 wax for comb, it pays an immense profit on its cost, besides se- 

 curing beautiful, straight combs. Foundation (Fig. 34), to be 

 of the best, must have a very thin base, and high, thick side 

 walls which ought to be loosely pressed in the manufacture. 

 There are two styles of foundation machines, the roller and the 

 press. Both give excellent foundation, though the press alone 



