IGNORANCE OP BEE-KEEPERS. 201 



gently pushing it into the mouth and down the throat of an 

 active and healthy child. 



We have before us a small pamphlet, published in London 

 in 1851, describing the construction of the "Bar and Frame 

 Hive" of ^X. A. Munn, Esq. The object of this invention is 

 to elevate frames, one at a time, into a case with glass sides, 

 so that they may be examined without risk of annoyance from 

 the bees. Great ingenuity is exhibited by the inventor of this 

 very costly and very complicated hive, who seems to imagine 

 that smoke "must be injurious both to the bees and their 

 brood." 



395. In opening a hive, little danger may be feared from 

 the bees that are exposed to the light, unless quick motions 

 are made, as they are completely bewildered by their sudden 

 exposure, and removal from the hive. 



It is not merely the sudden admission of light, but its in- 

 troduction from an unexpected quarter, that for the time, dis- 

 arms the hostility of the bees. They appear, for a few 

 moments, almost as much confounded as a man would be, if, 

 without any warning, the roof and ceiling of his house should 

 suddenly be torn from over his head. Before they recover 

 from their amazement, they are saluted with a puff of smoke, 

 which, by alarming them for the safety of their treasures, 

 induces them to snatch whatever they can. In the working 

 season, the bees near the top are gorged with honey; and 

 those coming from below are met in their threatening ascent, 

 by a small amount of harmless smoke, which excites their fears, 

 but leaves no unpleasant smell behind. No genuine lover of 

 tees ought ever to use the sickening fumes of tobacco. 



396. Heddon says ("Success in Bee-Culture," page 18) : 

 "I know of but one instance where the use of smoke can do 

 harm, and that is in smoking the guards of a colony that is in 

 danger of being robbed." (664.) To this important state- 

 ment, we would add, that too much smoke to a colony already 

 subdued, will drive them from their combs, and often cause 

 them to get in the way of the Apiarist. 



