'26 PEACTICAL BEE-KEEPING. 



which, although expensive, is very durable, and occupies very little room 

 when folded up, while it admits of a much better view through it than 

 leno, on which account we strongly recommend it to those desirous of study- 

 ing the economy of the hive. A little practice will cause all protective 

 dressing to be discarded but the veil, and this often may be found un- 

 necessary. 



But smoke is the beekeeper's talisman, and with this properly applied 

 bees may be completely tamed or rather terrified into submission. If in 

 the summer time a skep be lifted from its stand even with the greatest 

 care,' many of the brave little inhabitants wiR saBy forth to repel the 

 disturber, but if a few puffs from a pipe or from smouldering rag had 

 first been blown into it, the bees would have retreated between the combs, 

 where they might have been easily kept by a further dose after the skep 

 had been lifted and turned up for examination. The habitual smoker 

 perhaps needs nothing in addition to his pipe, but for those to whom 

 •" the weed " is no solace, let us describe our little prize apparatus (Kg. 26), 









Fis. 26. Smoeeb. 



"which has at least the advantages of durability and simplicity, while it 

 can be easily made by any who would possess it : a piece of indiarubber 

 tube about lin. in diameter and 6in. long is fitted over the bowl of an 

 ordinary pipe, rather briar root than clay, while the end is closed with a 

 wooden plug or short cork tied well in with wire or string. If, after 

 "the pipe has been charged, a fusee be dropped into it, and the india- 

 rubber tube placed in position, the hand can easily work the latter by 

 alternately compressing and releasing it : at each squeeze a stream 

 of smoke will issue, which may be driven in any direction. The 

 lover of his pipe may to it add the indiarubber, when he will find 

 the arrangement very convenient ; but for the non-smoker it will be 



