1896. 



THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER. 



281 



diate fanning of the wings is undoubt- 

 edly an instinctive act to drive the 

 suffocating smoke from the spiracles 

 or breathing organs. To say nothing 

 of the injurious effects resulting from 

 the excessive use of smoke, the col- 

 ony is completely interrupted in its 

 workings. With a proper or moder- 

 ate use of smoke the colony is scarce- 

 ly interrupted and many bees may be 

 seen continually going and coming at 

 the entrance. 1 have often been much 

 shocked at seeing bee keepers when 

 tiering supers carelessly crush many 

 bees, also when manipulating frames, 

 irritate the bees by rolling them 

 against the adjoining combs — also 

 crusl\ing them uuder the frame ends 

 upon the rabbets. Furthermore the 

 rough usage in jarring the hives by 

 the careless use of covers and other- 

 wise has a great tendency to make 

 them irritable. I take this opportunity 

 to urge bee keepers to consider the 

 importance of being humane, to exer- 

 cise this kindly treatment to all the 

 creatures entrusted to their care. 



In proof of this argument let me say 

 that 1 have never used a bee veil in 

 my apiary, and, although occasionally, 

 by some accident, I have felt the need 

 of one, sttll, taking into account the 

 inherent disadvantages in the use of 

 them, I prefer the freedom of cool 

 currents of air, and unobstructed vis- 

 ion, as well as the convenience afford- 

 ed by bare hands. However, not 

 every bee keeper can do the same un- 

 der these circumstances. The peculiar 

 odor from some perions would not per- 

 mit the non use of the bee veil. Per- 

 sonally, its non use is due to humane 

 bee keeping. I have had visitors who, 

 upon walking through my bee yard 

 were surprised at the docility of my 



bees, when really I have two colonies 

 of yellow bees as difficult to subdue as 

 Cyprians, and always ready to resent 

 and remember rough treatment. 



I find that the honey bee becomes 

 acquainted and familiar with the bee 

 keeper who walks among the hives. 

 In ray apiary one locality containing 

 a few colonies are not as convenient 

 to visit. I notice a ])erceptible differ- 

 ence in the disposition of the bees — 

 they seem to regard me as an intrud- 

 er, and with their characteristic shrill 

 note of inquiry dodge rapidly about 

 my head. Instead of using a paddle 

 upon such or any other occasion , it is 

 best to avoid any retaliatory move- 

 ments. The destruction of a bee is cer- 

 tain to call one or more to its rescue, 

 and the result will prove an increase 

 of irritable guards. 



To return to the method of uniting. 

 Upon bringing the colonies together 

 it is best to have them face the same 

 direction. I now provide a hive with 

 wire cloth division boards, preferably 

 a frame one quarter inch wide with 

 wire cloth tacked on both side which 

 prevents contact of the bees with those 

 of the adjoining apartment. As I use 

 a closed end frame hive with open 

 side, this arrangement is easily made, 

 and an entrance to each compartment 

 in keeping with the hives containing 

 colonies to be united. With all in read- 

 iness, open the hives, using a little 

 smoke, and transfer the combs and 

 bees to an apartment on their respec- 

 tive sides, giving an entrance to each. 

 The inferior or mismated queen being 

 removed will leave one side queenless. 

 In a few days the bees, having be- 

 come of like scent aad acquainted, 

 will gradually leave, finding the en- 

 trance of those possessing a queen 



