QUIETING BEES. 155 



wood is the most economical and preferable fuel. When 

 commencing operations on a stock of Bees, a puff of 

 smoke will be found a wonderful quieter — it should be 

 sent into the hive's entrance or under the crown-board, 

 and the Bees then left alone for a few minutes — the 

 effect is extreme alarm, and in all such cases the Bees 

 rush to their honey-stores, and fill their honey-bags 

 against contingencies. Once filled they are harmless, 

 although of course all the Bees do not get into that state. 

 Ofttimes when operating on Bees it will be found ad- 

 vantageous to sprinkle them more or less with syrup ; 

 if the weather be cold it should be warmed ; this should 

 be poured from a fine rose watering-can ; the Bees then 

 become so busy cleaning themselves and their com- 

 panions that they have no time to think of stinging. 



Queen Bees are imported from Italy in little deal 

 boxes about 5 inches square, a Queen accompanied by 

 about a hundred Workers ; and on lifting the cover a 

 remarkable proof is afforded of how much our irritable 

 little friends may be subdued. Open the box, there 

 they are, a fluttering, buzzing little swarm, each Bee 

 armed with a sting and two pairs of wings, but showing 

 not the slightest inclination to use either, as harmless as 

 so many flies. Hold the box in hand, they buzz and 

 seem to boil over the edges, running about the hands ; 

 and having apparently ascertained all about it, back 

 they go to attend their liege sovereign without any 

 attempt to investigate further, or revenge the indignities 

 they have lately suffered. This state of subjection is 

 the whole secret of driving ; it may be summed up in 

 one word, " terror." Only thoroughly alarm the Bees 

 and they become tractable and harmless. 



The apathy with which Bees submit to all manner of 

 inteiference at Bee Shows is mainly attributable to the 



