296 Bee Dress for I^adies. 



draws the lower part close about the neck, or the lower 

 part tucks within the coat or vest (Fig. 114), and we are 

 safe. This kind of a veil is cool, does not impede vision at 

 all, and can be made by any woman at a cost of less than 

 twenty cents. Common buck-skin or sheep-skin gloves 

 can be used, as it will. scarcely pay to get special gloves for 

 the purpose, for the most timid person — I speak from 

 experience — will soon consider gloves as unnecessary and 

 awkward. 



Special rubber gloves are sold by those who keep on 

 hand apiarian supplies. It is reported that heavily starched 

 linen is proof against the bees' sting, and so may be used 

 for gloves or other clothing. Some apiarists think that 

 dark clothing is special!}- obnoxious to bees. It is certainly 

 true that fuzzy woolen, and even hairs on one's hands are 

 very irritating to them. Clothes with a heavy nap should 

 be rejected by the bee-keej^er, and the Esaus should singe 

 the hair from their hands. ■ 



For ladies, my friend, Mrs. Baker, recommends a dress 

 which, by use of a rubber skii-t-lift or other device, can be 

 instantly raised or lowered. This will be convenient in the 

 apiary, and tidy anywhere. The Gabrielle style is pre- 

 ferred, and of a length just to reach the floor. It should be 

 belted at the waist, and cut down from the neck in front 

 one-third the length of the waist, to permit the tucking in 

 of the veil. The under-.waist should fasten close about the 

 neck. The sleeves Should be quite long to allow free use 

 of the arms, and gathered in with a rubber cord at the 

 wrist, which will hug the rubber gauntlets or arm, and pre- 

 vent bees from crawling up the sleeves. The pantalets 

 should be straight and full, and should also have the rub- 

 ber cord in the hem to draw them close about the top of 

 the shoes. 



Mrs. Baker also places great stress on the wet « head- 

 cap," which she believes the meh even would find a great 

 comfort. This is a simple, close-fitting cap, made of two ' 

 thicknesses of coarse towelling. The head is wet with 

 cold water, and the cap wet in the same, wrung out, and 

 placed on the head. 



Mrs. Baker would have the dress neat and clean, and so 



