will be found that the light reflected from the threads dazzle the 

 eyes, particularly in sunhght, and makes it difficult for close work 

 such as examining the brood. If a white veil has been bought, a 

 black strip should be let into the portion across the eyes. 



The veil itself should be skirt-shaped, with an elastic top to 

 shde over the crown of the hat or headgear, and should be amply 

 long enough (18 inches at least) to tuck well down inside the coat or 

 overall. Stiff wire-framed veils can be obtained, which keep the 

 netting away from the face. In this they succeed, but they tend to 

 sway about uncomfortably in a disconcerting fashion if it is windy, 

 and they are not therefore recommended. 



There is an old maxim* that runs, " whatever thy hand seeketh 

 to do, do it with all they might," or in other words — if you start 

 to do a job, do it properly and don't be slipshod. Now this appHes 

 very aptly to the wearing of a veil. If one is going to be worn, it 

 should be put on properly and not half on, i.e., with the tail of it 

 hanging loose over the shoulders. That job with the bees that was 

 only going to take a moment or so turns out to be much more in- 

 volved than was anticipated, and the carelessly donned veil now 

 becomes an open invitation to all and sundry — and invitations are 

 seldom refused. The moral is... well, follow the old truth and avoid 

 trouble, then there won't be any morals. 



Never be too proud to wear a veil. Familiarity should breed 

 respect, not contempt. Remember that a sting on the eyeball may 

 entail permanent injury. 



Those bee-keepers who are really scared of their bees, yet have 

 the courage to tackle them V/ithout wrapping themselves up com- 

 pletely, should, while taking all the precautions outlined above, rub 

 oil of wintergreen (the methyl-saUcylate of the kind used in the 

 treatment of acarine) over their hands or elsewhere if it is likely to 

 be exposed. This will prove very efficacious in keeping the bees at 

 bay. Alternatively, the hands may be wiped with the carbolic cloth 

 before starting operations. 



It may be thought that an insect repellant should keep angry 

 bees at bay. There is on the market an excellent insect repellant. 

 This preparation, if used, will, it is true, keep insects and bees from 

 alighting on the skin, but it is not sufficiently strong to prevent an 

 angry worker rushing into attack. To produce an aroma powerful 

 enough to keep a determined bee from inflicting injury would entail 

 the bee-keeper having to go about in a cloud of poison gas ! 



Occasionally a bee will find its way inside the veil. To the 

 uninitiated this close proximity to an armed intruder is sufficient 

 to cause such chaotic distress that everything is dropped regardless 

 of the consequences, and wild and usually unsuccessful attempts are 

 made to hberate the bee. Such antics are quite unnecessary, for the 

 bee will seldom, if ever, inflict injury, as once it is inside the veil 

 it immediately makes a great effort to get out. Manipulations 

 should, therefore, be continued until they can be safely suspended. 



*Ecclesiastes, Ch. 9, v. 10. 



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