].56 DOJEEBTIC ANIMALS. 



For fumigating, the circular bellows, set in motion by a winch, are 

 much superior to the double bellows, as a constant stream of smoke is 

 introduced into the hive, instead of a series of puffs. Mr. Pettigrew 

 recomniends (probably because they can more certainly be obtained 

 when wanted), cotton rags, tightly rolled up in the form of a candle, 

 and applied in the same way as the fungus. If so, it will be found ad- 

 visable to steep the rags in a solution of nitre, as otherwise they are 

 very apt to go out before a sufficiency of smoke has issued from them. 

 The solution, however, must be weak also, or it may do mischief instead 

 of good, for ignited nitre is apt to send forth sparks, especially if it is 

 urged on by a draught of air. It may be possible that ether or chloro- 

 form may answer better than either fungus or rags, but the experiments 

 do not yet appear to have been sufficiently numerous to enable one to 

 speak with confidence. At all events, although chloroform and ether 

 may not supersede fungus and nitre in stupefying bees, the smoke of 

 puff-ball threatens to supersede chloroform and ether in their anaesthetic 

 power as applied to human beings. We are bound to observe that fu- 

 migation may not be altogether so harmless as is supposed, and there- 

 fore should not be used without necessity. 



When, after applying the fumigating apparatus, as has been described 

 above, the stillness that reigns in the hive indicates that the bees are in 

 a state of insensibility, the hive may then be turned up for any neces- 

 sary operations. If honey is wanted choose the side combs, so as not 

 to interfere with the brood in the center, and be moderate. Replace 

 the violated hive carefully, and the bees will soon recover from their 

 state of partial intoxication, and set to work to repair the ravages that 

 have been made in their stores. Nor does fumigation injure the work- 

 ing power of the bees. Unlike the effects of alcoholic compounds, 

 which when taken in an overdose, entirely prostrate the sufferer for 

 some time, the-smoke of the fungus causes a very transient intoxication, 

 which in a few minutes passes away, and the bees appear rather re- 

 freshed than otherwise, after their involuntary debauch. 



DRIVING. — In the hands of a skillful operator, driving will often be found 

 usefnl, as it partly supersedes thenecessity of fumigation. By driving, 

 the bee-master induces his winged auxiliaries to change their position, 

 by working on their fears instead of stupefying what brains they have. 

 The best method of driving bees will be found in the pages of Bevan, 

 who appears to think very highly of the operation. " Toward the 

 dusk of the evening, when the family will be all, or nearly all at home, 

 and np finnoyance be experienced from stranger-bees, let the hive, or 

 box, be raised gently from its floor-board, and supported on three thin 

 wedges ; let an assistant be at hand, provided with a tobacco-pipe, or 

 the fumigating box and bellows, from one of which at the moment of 

 raising the hive, let a few whiffs of tobacco smoke be blown into it all 

 round, and a few more after it has been raised. This expedient will 

 soon induce the bees to asceijd and congregate at the upper part of the 

 hive. It is next to be inverted steadily on a small tub or peck measure, 

 ■puffed again, and then quickly and accurately surmounted by an empty 

 hive or box, as nearly of its own diameter as possible. After securely 

 closing the two hives, by tying a cloth firmly round them above and 



