Then quietly lift the veil and allow the visitor to escape unharmed, 

 and neither will be the worse. 



If one is attacked by bees when in an unprotected condition, 

 do not wave the arms about trying to hit the bees or fend thena off. 

 Such wild gesticulations only attract other bees and the matter is 

 made worse. Thrusting one's head among the leaves of a nearby 

 tree or shrub is often helpful, but if nothing else is to hand and 

 provocation is bad, the only remedy is to pocket one's feelings and 

 show a clean pair of heels for the nearest haven. 



Part Three — Manipulations 



It will be obvious that a careful bee-keeper who carries out all 

 manipulations with bees in the correct manner is not only a good 

 bee-keeper, but is at the same time reducing the risk of attack to a 

 minimum. Good bee-keeping pays handsome dividends in securing 

 ample honey harvests, and enables the bee-keeper to work his bees 

 with the the minimum of trouble and the maximum of pleasure. 



Best times for manipulations. The first point to consider is what 

 constitutes the most favourable circumstances, and which are the 

 worst times for carrying out operations among the bees. There are, 

 of course, occasions when emergencies arise and the matter has to 

 be undertaken irrespective of the prevailing conditions. 



In the normal way however, when any manipulation is under 

 consideration, it should not be attempted if the weather is really 

 unfavourable, but should be postponed till better conditions prevail. 

 This may at first seem obvious, especially if it is pouring with rain, 

 but there are other occasions also vvhen it is advisable to leave the 

 bees alone. 



Opening up the hives in cold weather should always be avoided. 



' Not only are the bees sure to be bad-tempered because of the lack 



of nectar, but there is the very real risk of chilUng the brood. In 



general, therefore, the bees ought to be left alone if the outside 



temperature is less than 60° F. 



At the other extreme, the bees should not, as a rule, be interfered 

 with while thunder is about, unless it is a matter of some quite small 

 operation, because thundery weather invariably promotes short 

 tempers. In any case it is better, and wiser, to leave the brood-nest 

 undisturbed, for bees are very sensitive to climatic alteration. 



Opening up a hive on a windy day is also a risky proceeding, 

 as the bees get blown about by the gusts. Quilts and coverings 

 flap and irritate the flying bees, as well as exposing covered combs. 

 Unless it is important, it is far wiser to refrain from any prolonged 

 operation when there is much wind about. If, however, it is essential 

 that the brood chamber be opened, the risk of attack may be 

 minimised, and the bees protected by retaining in position the 

 first outside lift above the bottom porch Uft. While it is true that 

 it makes handling combs a little more difficult, especially where 

 the frames are rather tightly held by propolis, the top of the brood 

 nest is shielded from wind, and the quilt or temporary coverings, 

 such as the carbolic cloth, are not so easily blown up or oif. When 



44 



