15 



covering, so far as it goes, but in addition the head must be shielded, while with most 

 people the hands are all the better of being protected. Many experts rarely use gloves, 

 having attained a stage at which a sting gives little annoyance ; but, as a matter of 

 fact, the writer finds that much of the poor bee-keeping he has come across is largely 

 due to the dread of stings. When a man has to lay off work for a couple of days 



because of a sting in his wrist, and at the same time does not know how to get perfect 

 protection, he can scarcely be blamed for leaving his bees alone as much as possible, 

 even if neglect means the loss of half the crop. The beginner will, therefore, be wi>e if 

 he provides himself at the very outset with a really sting-proof cobtume. Such a one 

 is shown in Fig. 3, and is the invention of one of the biggest bee-keepers on this 

 continent. 



Essentially the dress consists of a blouse, to which is attached an upper part of 

 white n» tting, this being faced with a square of black mosquito wire gauze. The 

 simplest way to make this sut is to buy a cotton nightshirt two or three sizes larger 

 than is ordinarily worn, cut off a part above the shoulders and mother below the waist. 

 From the latter portion muke extensions of the sleeves so that they will reach down a 

 little bflow the knuckles, then cut a hole in the side for the thumb. The lower part of 

 the blouse is taken up with a string hemmed in the edge, so that the blouse can be tied 

 round the wearer's waist. 



The black wire netting in front of the face is about 8 inches square, preft rt nee, 

 being given to a mesh of eight wires to the inch as permitting clearer vision. To 

 prevent the wire from cutting the white netting, it is edged with strips of oil-cloth 

 1 inch wide. These are doubled over the edges, then sewn very slowly on a sewing- 

 machine. 



Netting such as is used for window-curtains is the best material for the upper part 

 of the suit, as it permits of the free ciiculation of air round the neck and head. It 

 should be quite loose at the back, but not in front, for the closer the wire netting is to 

 the face the better one sees. The upper edge of the wire should reach the brim of the 



