SUBDUING AND HANDLING BEES. 



49 



The judicious use of smolte or other intimidant, for 

 manipulations at a well-chosen time, and the quick 

 but gsntle handling of combs will usually ensure the 

 operator escaping without a sting. The proper time 

 for opening a hive, is when the bees are returning 

 home from the fields with a merry contented hum ; 

 and never, if it can be avoided, in cold, stormy 

 weather, or immediately after a storm. 



Whenever the hand is stung draw it gently away, 

 at the same time giving the bees and the hand stung 

 a puff of smoke. Then push out 

 the sting with the finger-nail, or 

 rub it out by passing the hand 

 across the clothes, and give a little 

 more smoke to destroy the scent 

 of the poison. A bee-keeper must 

 get used to a few stings, and in 

 time the removal of the sting will 

 be performed so that work is 

 hardly interfered with. Any one 

 who dreads the effect of a sting 

 will do well to follow the advice 

 given above for its removal, and then eject the poison 

 from the wound by pressing the barrel of a small key 

 over the place. If this be done before the poison has 

 had time to spread, after effects and much swelling 

 will thereby be avoided. 



Fio. 9. 



Gauntlets. 



During manipulations bees are apt to get up the 

 manipulator's sleeves, when a slight pressure of the 



4 



