CHAPTER IX. 

 HANDLING BEES. 



The best that any writer can do on this subject is to 

 give a few hints, for in my opinion no amount of book 

 teaching will do as much to give confidence to the 

 novice as a few minutes in the presence of an expe- 

 rienced bee-master when going through his hives. 1 

 therefore advise all who contemplate keeping bees, who 

 cannot go for a season with some established bee 

 farmer, to go as often as possible and learn all they 

 can at a well established apiary. 



There are certain rules to be observed to secure 

 tolerable freedom from stings : — (i), Avoid jarring the 

 hive or frames ; if anything is difficult to move, such as 

 the cover, or a frame, quietly prise it apart without 

 jarring; (2), Never stand in the line of flight to a hive, 

 and do all the manipulations from the sides, never in 

 front; (3), A novice should never handle bees on dull, 

 showery days, nor after sundown; (4), Never strike at 

 a bee, but if timid and unprotected by a veil, bow the 

 head slightly and walk away. After confidence has 

 been gained by experience, a person may take liberties, 

 but it is better to be cautious at the commencement. 



m 



BEE VEILS AND SMOKERS. 



A good bee veil fixed over a stiff-brimmed hat of 

 some kind is a necessity, as it protects the face and 

 gives the wearer greater confidence. They can be 

 made of book muslin, with or without Brussels net in 

 front, tarlatan, or mosquito netting, but should be 

 large enough to stand out from the face, and come 

 well down the shoulders, where it can be tucked in 



77 



