THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



IB^^ 



drills. EoUing, as with grains, is very 

 beneficial. It is well, after your grain has 

 beeu cut, if the soil is dry, to drag it over 

 well, to remove UHd kill alb weeds that 

 may liave sprung up ; this in fact, should 

 be done every year. 



Blossom. — It begins to blossom from 

 ttie middle to the end of June. The book 

 docs not enlighten us as to the length of 

 time it remains in bloom. 



Mowiriff. — Should take place as soon as 

 it is in full bloom, if the best quality of 

 hay is desired, then it will also furnish a 

 medium aftercrop. lUit bee-keepers will 

 know how to regulate that to their own 

 benefit. The hay is handled the same as 

 red clover, although it will dry somewhat 

 sooner. Cattle may be turned on in the 

 fall, but not sheep, as they injure the 

 plant by browsing, we think, too close to 

 the ground. 



Seed.— If. desired for seed, it should be 

 allowed to stand until the pods present a 

 half-brown appearance ; if allowed to 

 stand too long, storms are apt to shake 

 them olT. The first mowing is generally 

 selected for this, and from field that aie 

 too old to yield a good crop of hay. 

 Treat it the same as budvwheat, setting it 

 up in small bunches in the field ; be care- 

 ful not to handle it too much in gathering, 

 and thresh it in the field as soon as gath- 

 ered. The germs remain good for three 

 years. Khuscuke Bros. 



Berlin, Wis. 



For the American Bee Journal. 



Handling Bees. 



I have no doubt that many apiarians 

 as well as myself, have often looked over 

 the index to the Bee Journal to find 

 some special direction as to what to do 

 and what not to do in an emergency, and 

 sometimes it is a difficult task. Hints are 

 given here and there under various heads 

 but not without much searching — and 

 then, not altogether satisfactory. The 

 great value of a book like the Bee Jourx- 

 AL, is a very full and complete index. I 

 have chosen the above title as tlie best I 

 can think of, and yet it does not convey 

 the whole idea upon which I wish to call 

 the attention of beginners in this delight- 

 ful occupation. 



Coolness and deliberation in manipu- 

 lating bees, is one which may well be 

 studied and practiced. In my own expe- 

 rience, (I have kept bees for many years), 

 and in my observation of others, the 

 thought of opening a full hive of bees has 

 been with such feelings of trepidation as 

 to start the persperation in streams and 



cause very unsatisfactory work. It is 

 not so now with me, at least, for I htiTC 

 learned to keep cool, and perfect my 

 work with deliberation. For the sake of 

 others, especially beginners, I would like 

 in this article to give a few hints. 



In the first place, notwithstanding tJbc 

 opinion so often expressed to the contrary, 

 it is well to use .<iome protertion ; a blatk 

 veil of black millinet, drawn over a 

 broad brimmed hat, and woolen gloves 

 — with the thumb and fore-fintrer cut •If 

 — will allord a confidence and self pos- 

 session which will go very far towards 

 giving the desired coolness and delibera- 

 tion. 



I often handle my bees witliout any 

 jirotection, whatever ; but I can never be 

 absolutely certain that some dyspeptic 

 bee will not fly in my face and close up 

 my eye, or add huge proportion to my 

 n.j0se. And this for a man who everj"- 

 day or two has to speak in pui)lic, is, to 

 say the least, not desirable. So, too, 

 with the utmost care, a block will tip 

 over, or an involuntary jar occur, which 

 will arouse a dozen to make an attack. 

 To keep cool, therefore, first protect 

 yourself. 



Again, whe i operating in warm 

 wparher, it is not necessary to he in a 

 hurry. 



The air may be full of bees, but they 

 will all find their place. Broods will not 

 peri.sh or be injured in the space of time 

 required for most operations. A whole 

 hive may be spread out on the different 

 frames in the shade and every comb de- 

 liberately studied without being at all 

 injured. It is all important to knovv and 

 decide at the outset, before the hive is 

 touched, what you intend to do, and make 

 your preparations accordingly ; — have 

 everytldng required on the spot, arrang- 

 ed within easy reach. Thus, a black 

 queen may be caught, or her wings clip- 

 ped ; crooked combs straightened, or 

 drone comb cut out and replaced by 

 worker comb, ifcc, etc., all in one opera- 

 tion. 



The want of deliberation causes the 

 death of many bees, and the rest need- 

 lessly irritated. It is an art to handle 

 bees well, only to be acquired by practice. 

 And there is great satisfaction after per- 

 forming a difilcult work (as for instance 

 to transfer the combs of a box hive into 

 frames) and feel that you have not need- 

 lessly crushed a single bee. It can be 

 done, but the hive, the frames and combs 

 must be handled as gently as you would 

 a full tumbler witliout spilling a drop. 

 D. C. Mn.LETT. 



Hamburg, Pa. 



