§ XV.] REMOVING FRAMES. 269 



until he becomes familiar with the handling of the frames. 

 The first thing to do is to loosen the crown-board, or lid, 

 with a knife, drawing a piece of string underneath it, to 

 divide the wax or cement with which the bees make all 

 secure. All this should be done very slowly, so as not 

 to irritate the bees. In hot weather the crown-board 

 may be loosened by a lateral movement ; but sometimes, 

 for want of care, this loosening of the lid disturbs the 

 bees, and, as soon as it is removed, a number of them, 

 enraged thereby, rush out and attack the operator. 

 Especial care should be taken not to prise the lid up- 

 wards, by way of wrenching it off, for the frames and 

 combs are generally secured thereto, and there is a 

 liability of rending the combs with it ; this will greatly 

 irritate the bees, and be otherwise injurious. When a 

 hive of bees is really enraged there is little chance of 

 pacifying them; if the first tokens of anger cannot be 

 appeased it is best to " give in " at once, and not attempt 

 to perform any operation, but to shut the hive up and 

 beat a retreat, benefiting by the experience in order to 

 do better a day or so afterwards. There are various 

 devices for intimidating or conciliating the bees, and one 

 of these, already spoken of, is smoke. So next time the 

 experimenter makes his attempt let 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. Previous to this he 

 may give a puff or two at the entrance, which will help 

 to produce the quieting effect. This is best done by 



