18 



general use for some time is known as the " Porter bee-escape " 

 (Pig. 11) ; it has proved thoroughly effective. Another, appa- 

 rently very good form of bee-escape has been recently in- 

 troduced by the Irish Beekeepers' Federation. The super- 

 clearer is not an essential appliance, but by its use (113) supers 

 can be cleared of bees in cold or wet weather more rapidly than 

 by the cone clearer (42). 



The cone bee-escape (Fig. 11a), as fitted to the " C. D. B." 

 hive, consists of two perforated brass 

 42. Cone Bee escape, cones, flanged at the base. They are fitted 

 to the roof, at the front ventilating hole ; 

 one is inserted through the hole from inside, the cone project- 

 ing in front, the flange being tacked to the inner side of the 

 roof front, while the second cone is tacked to the outer edge of 

 the same hole, thus projecting immediately in front of the 

 inner cone, leaving a space equal to the thickness of the wood 

 between the apertures of the cones ; this permits bees to have 

 free egress from the hive, but prevents the ingress of bees or 

 wasps. A single cone as fitted on some hives permits the 

 ingress of wasps, and to some extent of bees. 



The subduing-cloth (Figs-. 1 and 20) is used for subduing bees ; 



it should be made of coarse canvas, gar- 



43. Subduing or dener's scrim, or some similar material. 



Carbolic Cloth. Scrim possesses the merit of permitting the 



bees to be more easily seen through it than 

 is possible when a material of closer texture Ts used. The 

 cloth should be 18 inches long by 17 inches wide, with a broad 

 hem on the 17-inch side, wide enough to permit of the insertion 

 therein of a light stick about 17 inches long, a full length of 18 

 inches being left exclusive of the hem : a cloth thus fitted, greatly 

 facilitates manipulation , especially when only one hand is avail- 

 able for that purpose. When required for use the cloth should 

 be thoroughly damped with carbohc solution (180). When 

 not in use it may be preserved in a damp condition, if 

 kept in a tin canister or other suitable vessel with a close 

 fitting lid. Mallin's or Webster's " Subjugators " are 

 now much used for damping the clolh in lieu of car- 

 bolic solution; they do not injure the skin, and the cloth 

 which has been treated with either of them will remain fit for 

 use for many weeks without being redressed, if it is carefully 

 covered while not in use. They are sold in sixpenny bottles, 

 holding sufiBcient liquid to dress a cloth several times. Many 

 other strong smelling liquids may be used for subduing bees. 



The smoker recommended for use is of the " Bingham " pat- 



^^ „ tern (Fig. 12) , and consists of a small hand 



44, Smoker. bellows attached to a tin cylinder in which 



is placed the material to be burnt; the 



cylinder is fitted with a conical nozzle, through which the smoke 



is ejected. The best fuel is dry rotten wood, as it leaves little 



residue except ash, and smoulders well. Brown paper is the 



