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THE AMERICAN BEE-KEEPER 



July 



SKA'- -■.-fc^SSlirty » .Nl*^. 



Portland, Me., June 10, 1901. 

 Editor American Bee-keeper : I should like 

 some information in regard to an experience which 

 I had last summer. While looking with a neigh- 

 bor lor queen-cells, I received a sting on top of the 

 head and two on the arm. In fifteen minutes I 

 was completely overcome— was unconscious for two 

 hours. This being our first experience of the 

 kind, my wife rushed for a doctor. I had no pulse 

 at all; that is, the doctor could not take it. After 

 a while I came out all right. Have not seen the 

 doctor since, and did not ask him anything about 

 it. I have been stung twice this year with similar 

 results. My arm is now swollen quite badly from 

 a sting received on Saturday, the 8th. I don't 

 mind it, only the bad feelings in my head and 

 stomach for the time; it seems to poison me. I 

 took a fair dose of whiskey and did not quite lose 

 my senses. Now, isn't there some antidote to 

 counteract the stings in my case? 



Very truly yours, J. W. Parker. 

 [Instances similir to that related by our corres- 

 pondent have been reported in the past; though, 

 we believe, such ill effects usually occur only to 

 those unaccustomed to stings. A few good doses 

 of this same poison circulating through the system 

 is the best antidote of which we know. The swol- 

 len arm is nothing more than would be liable to 

 result from a sting received by any beginner. It 

 would probably be a good plan to compel an oc- 

 casional sting upon the hand or arm until the system 

 becomes inoculated. Such a course of treatment 

 would in a measure render one immune, in the 

 event of a sting being received in a more vital spot. 

 It is the opinion of this journal that the greater 

 part of the suffering resulting to beginners through 

 stings, is directly attributable to the improper 

 manner in which the sting is extracted. If an 

 open knife-blade could be at hand when stung, so 

 that the sting might be immediately scraped out. 

 instead of being grasped with the thumb and 

 finger, the pain and swelling so frequently com- 

 plained of. would be greatly reduced. The time 

 necessary to get one's knife ready for the operation 

 however, renders this means impracticable; but a 

 quick stroke with the fingernail does the work 

 nearly as well, and has the advantage of always 

 being in readiness. The pressure exerted upon 

 the poison-sac in attempting to withdraw the sting 

 in the way ordinarily done by a novice, is eminent- 

 ly calculated to inject all the poison, pain and 

 swelling possible. Scratch it out and do it quick- 

 ly; then refrain from rubbing the wound; rubbing 

 only diffuses the poison and adds to the ill effects. 

 An immediate application of ammonia or harts- 

 horn we used to think an advantage. This alkali 

 will tend to neutralize the acid poison. From five 

 to twenty drops of ammonia taken internally, in 

 very severe cases of stinging, has been recom- 

 mended for an adult. A few drops of camphor is 

 also said to be beneficial in such cases. An appli- 

 cation of cold water has a soothing effect in case 

 of severe pain. Prof. Cook recommends a strong 

 solution of saltpetre. There are "remedies'' 

 without end; but the best of all is to so manage as 

 to get as few stings as possible, by careful handling. 



and when stnng, accept it as a necessary part of 

 the business, with good grace; and the time will 

 come when but little heed will be given to a few 

 stings.— En.] 



Rock Valley, N. Y.; May IS, lUOl. 

 Editor Bee-keeper: In regard to fastening foun- 

 dation into sections, to which I referred in youi 

 May number, would say: I got the idea some time 

 since from the American Agriculturist, where it 

 appeared fully illustrated. After having given it 

 a trial, I have discarded my Daisy and pressure 

 fasteners. Take a smooth board about 8x20 inches, 

 nail to it four blocks equal in thickness to half the 

 width of the section used; have theau close to- 

 gether, though not crowded, so that the sections 

 will drop freely over them. Have melted wax in a 

 handy position, and provide a piece of tin having 

 a straight edge, 4x5 inches. Place the starters 

 inside the sections, upon the blocks; dip the edge 

 of the tin into the wax, allowing the surplus to 

 drip, and quickly place the edge inside the section, 

 against the form or block, using the right hand, 

 and with the left bring the starter down against 

 the tin and quickly withdraw the latter. The tin 

 should be placed at a slight incline to prevent 

 smearing the section. With practice the operator 

 will learn to fasten all four starters without re- 

 dipping. Beginners who do not have the dollar, 

 can make all this themselves without cost, and have 

 less foundation breaking down. True, it takes a lit- 

 tle more rough wax, but not so much of the costly 

 thin foundation. Very truly yours, 



E. J. Haight. 



P. S. — The propolis scraper spoken of in a former 

 letter should have the handle bent around to the 

 center of blade, then drawn out at right angles, 

 giving an even pressure the full length of blade. 



E. J. H. 



Titusville, Pa.; June :i, lHOl. 

 Editor American Bee-keeper: Enclosed please 

 find fifty cents to apply on my subscription ac- 

 count. I should like to ask brother bee-keepers, 

 through your journal, how I shall construct a hive, 

 or fasten those I have so robbers and thieves can- 

 not get into them. My bees are three miles out in 

 the country, and it is not always convenient for 

 me to be there to watch them. I would be thankful 

 for information. Respectfully, S. Chase. 



Westville C-enter, N. Y., May 2T, I'.lOl. 



Editor American Bee-keepek— Will you kindly 

 explain to a greenhorn the benefits, and what is 

 expected of a member of the National Bee- 

 keepers' Association ? Respectfully, 



Willis H. Free.max. 



[Space will not permit us to enumerate the 

 many advantages of supporting the National 

 Bee-keepers' Association, here; but would suggest 

 that our correspondent write to the Sec.etary, 

 Ur. A. B. Mason, Station B, Toledo, Ohio, for a 

 copy of the constitution and other literature per- 

 taining to the Association. Bee-keeping is yet an 

 infantile industry, so to speak; and it is to become a 

 great industry through the efforts of those pro- 

 gressive ones who have been brought to appreciate 



