BEESj BEE-HIVESj AND BEE CULTURE. 77 



him raise the lid an inch or so, and blow a few puffs of smoke 

 into the hive, which will cause the bees to retreat. This 

 is best done by using our No. 13 fiimigator, with a little of the 

 prepared fungus lighted. Pipes or cigars are not convenient to use 

 for this purpose when the head is enveloped in the dress. As soon 

 as the lid is removed, a few bees will fly out to learn the cause of 

 such an interference. Conciliation should then be introduced by 

 having at hand a little sweetened water, which may be sprinkled, 

 or ratlier let drop from a feather or brush. The sudden motion of 

 the hand required in the act of sprinkling irritates the bees, so that 

 instead of making them our frieiids, they may become our foes. 

 Mr. Langstroth recommends that a fine watering pot filled with 

 sweetened water, be used for the purpose. Care must be taken not 

 to drench the bees ; only just sufficient should be given to run down 

 the sides of the combs as well as sprinkling the top. As soon as 

 the bees really understand that syrup is being given tliem, they 

 feast upon it instead of angrily attacking the operator. Thus 

 pacified, and with gentle treatment, but little difBculty will be 

 found in proceeding with the work required. But the unskilled 

 operator should on no account neglect to put on a bee-dress and 

 gloves as described above. We would err on the side of caution, 

 although there is an old saying that " a cat in gloves catches no 

 mice," and the apiarian will find that his fingers are not so free to 

 work as he would like, for gloves make them rather clumsy in 

 drawing up the frames. 



The frames must now be gently prised from front to rear ; this may 

 be done with a small screw-driver or other stout instrument with a 

 wedged end to go into the notches. The frames fit loosely so as to 

 allow of a little movement from back to front ; a lateral or side-way 

 movement might kill the queen ; or if not so fatal as that, might crush 

 some of the bees and injure the brood combs, and must be carefully 

 avoided. It, of course, depends upon what the operation is that has 

 to be performed whether or no all the frames should be thus loosened. 

 If it be for making artificial swarms, or for any purpose requiring an 

 interview with her majesty, the whole of them must be loosened, 

 because it often happens that all the combs have to be examined, 

 sometimes twice over, before she can be discovered. Bees are very 

 apt to build their combs in a slightly waving form, and in extracting 

 one it will be needfal to make room both for the comb and bees 



