and its Economic Management, 23 



Sprinkling with flour when uniting has recently been 

 brought to notice through the columns of the Bee Journals; 

 and the plan is certainly preferable to the above, and though 

 1 have no need for anything of the kind, there are many who 

 will gain confidence by using it, though probably in the hands 

 of a novice, careless handling will even then bring about a 

 disaster occasionally. During the season I am daily uniting 

 bees under all conditions without any extraneous aid, and 

 alwaj's without fighting ; therefore to me the various recom- 

 mendations are simply amusing. 



In the case of Cyprians and Syrians some caution is 

 needed, but I have found that if both lots are^ first made queenless 

 these bees can be united without the least inclination to fight 

 while in that condition ; the queen to be retained, being 

 returned in the evening. Except it be in the middle of the 

 day during a good flow of honey nothing else will induce these 

 bees to amalgamate with strangers. 



Agents used in Quieting Bees. 



Mr. Cheshire mentions that methyl salicylate, using a few 

 drops on the hands, will effectually prevent bees attacking the 

 same.* The same author also recommends a small amount of 

 crude creosote placed upon the fuel in the smoker for subduing 

 any colonies not amenable to milder treatment. The late 

 Rev. George Raynor long used carbolic acid for quieting bees ; 

 his plan being to dip a feather in a weak solution. of the acid 

 and then pass it over the frames, when the bees rapidly 

 retreat. Fume chambers added to bellows have also , been 

 introduced, and while I have no wish to disparage those who 

 have invented these methods of applying carbolic acid, I am 

 compelled to say that for general purposes I have found 

 nothing to equal the smoker, and in extreme cases the creosote 

 or other pungent article added to the fuel. 



• " Bees and Bee-keeping," Vol. II. 



