THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF BEES. 



12^ 



This it will be well for every farmer to remember. The eariy swarms 

 become populous, and have plenty of honey before the dry season 

 and heat cut off the honey supply, and can carry themselves through. 

 The late swarm is weak, gets weakei-, and finally succumbs to the 

 inevitable. 



IV. Hiving New Swarms. 



Jn working about bees, at any time, and for whatsoever purpose, there 

 must be no haste, sudden movements, or excitement of any kind. This 

 is what causes stinging. If you crush a bee, or if it gets pinched in any 

 part of your dress, you will be stung; if not, there is little danger, 

 unless you go about your work in an excitable manner. If you are so 

 unfortunate as to be stung, get out of the way as quietly and quickly as 

 possible ; the odor of the sting will excite the whole colony. It is well to 

 protect yourself against stingingin the most perfect manner ; apair of buck- 

 skin gauntlets tied securely over the cuffs of the coat, 

 the bottom of the pantaloons tied firmly about the boot 

 tops, thick, loose clothing, and a bee veil afford per- 

 fect security to even those whom bees dislike (hasty 

 persons), and to those who fear bees (timid })ersons). 

 A bee veil is sinq)ly a piece of bobinct, huge enough 

 to tie over the head, as shown in the (uit , and whicli 

 may be fastened by being tucked under the to}) of the 

 coat, or tied about the collar. 



Have your hives ready, and all prepared beforehand. 

 If the bees are settled upon a handy bush, simply 

 shake them carefully into the hive, as many as you 

 can ; cover and place it near where the other bees may 

 enter. If the greater pait of the swarm fall on the 

 ground, drive them to the entrance, by gently and carefully sweeping 

 them with something soft. When they begin to enter, leave them alone 

 until evening, when they must be set where they are to remain. If the 

 swarm has settled ui)on a limb so high that it cannot be reached by a 

 ladder, climb to it, tie a rope securely to the limb l)(•^()IHl wIkmc you 

 wish to saw, let the end pass over a limb still higher, and thence to the 

 ground. An assistant holds the end of the rope anil eases the limb as it 

 begins to be severed, so it comes down gently, and often without seri- 

 ously disturbing the ])ees ; pass it gently to the ground, i)ut the bees 

 into the hive, as before dii'ected, and it will be found that this is about 

 all the " mystery " in hiving bees. Watch for indications of swarming, 

 and be ready, and you will seldom lose a swarm. 



I'.KK VKIL. 



