CHAPTER IX 



CORRECT MANIPULATION 



The great majority of the people who keep bees 

 have much to learn as regards the proper handling 

 of their stock. This is usually due to sheer ignor- 

 ance, owing to the lack of a little tuition or the 

 want of a reliable text-book or periodical. It is 

 rarely through any unwillingness to learn, as the. 

 modern methods are in every way cleaner, quicker, 

 and far more pleasant than the antiquated forms 

 of apiculture met with in many secluded districts. 

 Occasionally one comes across some hoary-headed 

 unbeliever who persists in keeping to the tradi- 

 tions created by some remote ancestor, but the 

 breed is fast dying out, and bids fair soon to be- 

 come extinct. 



The great secret of manipulating bees is to be 

 gentle but firm, and the more the former quality 

 is cultivated the less need will there be of the 

 latter. Bees are very nervous insects, and object 

 exceedingly to anything in the way of roughness. 

 In opening a frame-hive always stand at the back 

 of it if possible, or at the side, but never in front 

 of the entrance. A veil must be worn, but no 

 gloves, and some form of subjugator will be re- 

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