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to the floor. When one attempts to remove such a frame in 
the ordinary way, it often happens that only the top bar is 
lifted out. There is no excuse for such unwisdom when bee 
firms supply special {-in. nails for making those joints secure. 
Similarly, if the frames have not been properly wired, or 
inferior foundation has been used, the consequent irregularity 
of the combs will make it difficult to remove and replace them 
without crushing bees and producing undue vibration. 
Gentleness and Deliberation. 
Too much stress can hardly be laid on the necessity for 
slow movements when handling bees. Under favourable con- 
ditions, it is perfectly possible, especially with pure Italian 
bees, to go right through the combs of a hive without any 
smoke—if the bee-keeper has plenty of patience, and time 
is no object. The bee, like most other insects, moves normally 
at a high rate of speed, and is scarcely conscious of slow 
movements. The experienced bee-keeper, as if by instinct, 
does everything slowly, so as to avoid attracting the attention 
of the bees. This explains why a visitor to the apiary is 
more liable to be stung than is the bee-keeper himself. The 
visitor is alarmed when bees fly past his face, and indulges in 
rapid gestures which irritate the bees, and increase the 
number flying about his head. This induces further move- 
ments of the visitor's hands, and these provoke further 
hostility on the part of the bees. The result is that the 
novice arrives at two conclusions, both of which are erroneous, 
(1) that he is peculiarly obnoxious to the bees, and (2) that 
the bees know the bee-master, and consciously refrain from 
stinging him. The fact is that they would sting anybody 
who was nervous enough to indulge in rapid movements. 
Suitable Time for Manipulation. 
There is sometimes real danger that the enthusiastic 
beginner may manipulate his first stock of bees so excessively 
that he may lose them, and it should be impressed on him that 
needless handling of the bees, or opening of the hive at 
unseasonable times, can only do harm. If no veil is worn, 
