68 THE apiaey; or, 



THE PUMIGATOR. No. 12. 



The Pumigator is useful for several purposes. 

 When a frame hive has to be disturbed it is 

 requisite to raise the lid and blow a little smote 

 into the hive, so as to check the angry passions of the bees. 

 If it be desirable to stupefy the bees, ignited fungus must be 

 placed in the box, and the flattened end applied to the entrance of 

 the hive ; the smoke is then blown in — either with bellows or by 

 applying the mouth of the operator, — taking care to close all 

 openings through which the smoke can escape. The bees fall 

 down stupefied, generally in about ten minutes, but the effect varies 

 according to the populousness of the hive and the quantity of comb 

 in it. The projected operations must now be performed speedily, 

 as activity will soon be regained. See preceding directions. 



THE BEE DEESS OE PEOTECTOE. No. 31. 



All operations connected with the removal or the 

 hiving of bees should be conducted with calmness 

 and circumspection. Bees, although the busiest of 

 creatures, have great dislike to fussiness in tlieir 

 masters, and become irritable at once if the apiarian 

 lets them see that he is in a hurry. Hence, there 

 is great advantage in having the face and hands 

 covered whilst at work amongst the bees ; for when 

 the operator knows he cannot possibly be stung, he 

 can then open his hives, take out the combs, gather 

 in his swarms, or take the honey, with all the deliberation of a 

 philosopher. Various kinds of bee dresses have been contrived ; 

 one that we keep ready in stock is of very simple construction. It 

 is made of strong hlach net, in shape like an inverted bag, large 

 enough to allow of a gentleman's wide-awake or a lady's hat being 

 worn underneath. The projection of the hat or cap causes the 

 dress to stand off from the face ; and the meshes of the net, though 

 much too small for a bee to penetrate, are wide enough to allow of 

 clear vision for the operator. An elastic band secures the dress 

 ruQud the waist j; the sleeves also —made of durable black calico — 



