CONTEOLLIJTG BEES. 89 



approach in merely a threatening attitude, buzzing around 

 very provokingly for several minutes in close proximity to 

 one's ears and face, apparently to ascertain our intentions. 

 If nothing hostile or displeasing is perceived, they will 

 often leave ; but should a quick motion, or disagreeable 

 breath offend them, the dreaded result is not long delay- 

 ed. Too many people are apt to construe these threaten- 

 ing manifestations into positive intentions to sting. It 

 is always advisable to place the best construction on the 

 action of a bee and act accordingly. 



SMOKE, A CONTEOLLING AGENT, 



The ability to subdue these insects by the use of smoke 

 has been so thoroughly demonstrated that I need say lit- 

 tle except as to the mode of applying it. For years Mr. 

 Quinby used partially decayed wood, cut in sticks of 

 suitable size, the smoke of which, when ignited, could be 

 directed to the desired point by blowing with the mouth. 

 Eealizing many objections to this process, he expended 

 much time and thought in devising some more safe and 

 efficient method. He had already used a smoker to be 

 held in the mouth, the smoke to be blown among the 

 bees wich the breath, but it was unsatisfactory. It was 

 made of a tin tube, two inches in diameter, and six 

 inches long ; in one end of this, a short tube of wood 

 was fitted, and in the other end was a longer piece, to 

 hold in the mouth, with a quarter-inch hole bored 

 through each. The fuel was ignited and placed inside, 

 and the smoke blown in the desired direction. 



QUINBT SMOKEK. 



In 1873, Mr. Quinby gave the matter very particulai 

 attention, which resulted in the invention of the upright 



