CHAPTER XII. 



or CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS, EITHER USEFUL OK NECESSARY TO 

 BEE MANAGEMENT. 



Besides the different articles of use in the management of an apiary, 

 described in the early part of this volume, or in the course of the work, 

 there are one or two instruments which I should wish to recommend 

 to the reader's notice before I conclude. 



Instead of the zinc slides, which command the entrance way spoken 

 of in the last two chapters, of which some will have to be plain, and 

 others perforated with holes, a plate similar to that described by Mr. 

 Taylor, (see his "Bee Keeper's Manual," page 75, fourth edition,) will 

 be found very useful. To quote his words — it is " a square sheet of 

 well-flattened tin, zinc, or copper, of four equal sides, made to slip 



down in the grooves ' Bach side of the square gives an altered 



mouth to the pavilion at pleasure, according as it is turned, being cut 

 with various-sized apertures ; and one entirely closed except the per- 

 forations for ventilation." Of these plates, (which will be attached to 

 the entrance blocks,) one will suffice for each colony, besides the com- 

 plement of other slides in the hive hoards. 



A bee dress, to which I have alluded before, is an indispensable arti- 

 cle of bee furniture. " Security from attack," says Mr. Taylor, " is 

 essential to self-possession ;" "the first thing therefore that should be 

 procured by the amateur, is a bee dress ; a simple covering of light 

 canvass, or strong gauze, (green is the best color for comfort,) of the 

 kind called hno, with or without sleeves, but securing the whole head 

 effectually, will answer the purpose sufficiently well.* 



No apiary should be without a long spatula, and a set of bee knives, 



* Mr. Taylor haa given a sketch of a very advantageous form at page 176. 



