APPENDIX, 383 



advise that auy oao who has courngQ to do H,had bottdr take this courso till eatlsflod 

 that this dividing the fi'aiue has no infiuouce in producing the croolced combs. 



Those frames aro not mado to advantage without power of flomo sort, and a 

 otroi)lar saw. The flat strips are cut from boards the right length and thiclcncss. 

 without the least difllculty. The triangular one is cut by securing on the saw tablo' 

 a board of suitable length and width, with one odge raised a few inches, while tho 

 other rests on the table by tho side of the saw ; a guide on the other side of the 

 saw, the same as for other sawing, guides it. It is necessary to turn the board over 

 for every piece sawed from it. A little practice wlU adjust the table (pt board oq it) 

 ^ to cut a triangular piece evory time. 



The fl-ome, while being nailed together, should be held as near. square as possible. 

 A ftame fastened to the table to hold the pieces in shape is a great help, 



To operate with these frames a person requires a little more energy thau with tho 

 box hives. Tho liability for being stung is somewhat increased, and unless a man 

 can find sofacient nerve to take advantage of sbtne of the facihties that the movable 

 frames ofi^r, when suitably protected, had better adhere to the simpler form. 

 There are some men too Ignorant, too conceited,' too careless, too much engaged 

 otherwise, to be ht to keep bees in any hive. But such as are qualified ought to 

 know how to make tho Ttiost of them. As. for myself, I seldom use any protection — 

 sometimes throw a haodkerchlef over the ears and back of the head. There is a 

 way of avoiding stings in the face, acquired after working among them awhile, that 

 is very difficult to describe, further than holding the head down. It is not to be 

 expected that many will take the risks for all, the advantages ; I will therefore, in 

 addition, to the protection mentioned on page 284, describe a "bee hat" recom- 

 mended by Mr. Langstroth. ** It is made pf wire-cloth, the meshes of which are 

 too fine to admit q. bee, but coarse enough to allow a free circulation of air, and to 

 permit distant sight. The wire-cloth should be first fiistened together in a circular 

 shape, tike a hat, and made large enough to go very easily over • the head ; its top 

 may be of cotton cloth, and it should have the, same matepial fastened around its 

 lower edge. If the top is made , of sole leather it will serire a better purpose, A 

 piece of wire-cloth, one foot wide by two and a half feet lopg, will make a good fit 

 for most persons, although persons with unusually long nos^s will require a larger 

 size. It ought shghtly to rest upon the crown of tbe head." 4Ie also recommended 

 " India rubber gloves" as impenetrable to the sting, .and better than any other 

 covering for the hands. 



With respect to this hat. some of my assistants have used such as were made 

 with the wire-cloth only six inches wide, with a good length of cotton cloth attached 

 below, the' whole weight resting on the head, which can be moved about much better 

 than if it rested on the shoulders. It is made by first cutting out a thin board the 

 right diameter, to whiohthe upper edge^of thawire-clothis nailed. Aplace in' the 

 centre is cut out large enough to fit the upper part of the head ; the inner edge is 

 lined with cotton or other soft material to prevent it, being painful, and the outside 

 (top) covered with any light-oolbred cloth to keep off the sun. A person with such 

 a protection over the face ought to feel quite safe, even if the bees are disposed to 

 sting. It is a pity that any one with ability, inclmation and time to devote to the 

 business, should be deterred through fear. 



To render bees less disposed to sting, Mr. L. recommends the utility of " sugar 

 water," because a bee that has sweets with which to fill itself, or one that is filled, 

 has no dispositioQ to make an attack. To apply it— take ofi" the, honey -board, (the 

 top of the hive) and " with a fine sprinkling pot pour, water well sweetened with 

 sugar directly on -the frames, bees and combs." The bees, finding themselves 

 suiTounded with the sweets of life, have not tirne to resent anythbg, but sip it 

 greedily. When this has been done thoroughly, and the bees are filled, they may 

 receive almost any amount of msult without resentment. 'I'ho combs may be lifted 

 out and examined, and returned with impunity. This method, I find, when many are 

 to bo esammed, takes too much time. I prcler using smoke,, although they are not 

 always as quiet, yet aro sulficicntlj- so for me, at least. That made from tobacco is 

 best. A person usiug a pipe or cigar will find it very conveni*nit ; but lest I am 

 accused of encouraging smoking, by furnishing nil excuse, I will give another 

 method of using it. Take old cotton cloth some twelve inches square, and cover it 

 with common smoking tobacco about onc-fourtb of an inch deep j begin on ono side 

 and roll it up loosuly— with a uocille and thread fasten it in three or four places ; it 

 will burn a long time and not blaze. The smoke of this blown on the bees will 

 bring them into submission readily ; such as are at the top of the frames will at 

 once go down out of sight; others tbat appear will readily yield to tho same 

 treatment. The fire can now be put down on some handy stool or other convenient 

 place— perhaps one corner of the hive— it will continue to burn, and be ready at 

 any moment when needed. Punk (rotton wood) is another thing strongly recom- 

 mended by Mr. L. for this purpose ; it is more convenient, but not so efficient in 

 quietmg them after they have been disturbed- a few times. Any hard wood tbat 

 has just sufficient strength to hold together is good ; split or saw it into pieces ona 



