JfANIPULATINa. 



iOl 



in some operations, may be more conveniently used if pre- 

 pared like a flag (127). Shake the bottle and thoroughly damp 

 the cloth with the solution. Sprinkle a little also on the 

 feather. Put cloth and feather into a tight-fitting tin box that 

 they may retain the odour. 



177. Opening the Hr«e Go, now, to the hive which you 



want to examine. Blow one or two puffs of smoke through the 

 entrance, into the hive, remembering that your object is not 

 to half smother the bees, but just to send them to dinner. Rap 

 smartly with your knuckles on the sides and roof; set down 

 your smoker, nozzle up, so that it may draw like a chimney ; 

 take out your carbolic cloth and feather, and wait for a minute 



before proceeding further. Then place 



the feather half its 

 length into the en- 

 trance, to put a 

 stop on the bees 

 there ; and re- 

 move the roof and 

 quilts, leaving only 

 the sheet on the 

 frames or super. 

 By this time the 

 bees will have 

 gorged themselves 

 into good humour. 

 Your position will 

 now depend upon 

 the arrangement 

 of the frames in 

 the hive. If they 

 hang at right 

 angles to the front, 

 stand at the side; 

 if they hang par- 

 .illel to the front, 

 take vour position 

 BBAVnsa ON OAliP.OLIC CLOTH. gj jj^j, fj^ck. Hold 



the carbolic cloth by the lath, if one has been inserted (127), or 

 by two corners, and let it hang down outside the hive at the 

 side opposite to you. Pick up the corners of the sheet, and 

 slowly draw it back upon itself towards you, so bringing the 

 carbolic cloth over the frames as illustrated. Not one bee will 

 get out if you do this carefully. Instantly the bees will begin 

 to make music — a peaceful symphony which may encourage 

 you. Remove the cloth, or roll it back off two or three frames — 

 you will find the bees with their heads in the cells, or moving 

 about in a bewildered fashion, gentle as lambs, and disposed 



