CHAPTER VI. 



MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION. 



§ I. STINGS : THEIR PREVENTION AND CURE. 



OME of our readers may deem us neglectful in 

 having, as it were, left them to struggle through 

 their bee-keeping novitiate v(fithout informing 

 them how to avoid the annoyance of stinging from their 

 docile but well-armed flock. Of course, having described 

 the bee dress, we have supposed that the apiarian was clad, 

 if not " in complete steel," at least in the head-gear and 

 gloves, which will render him invulnerable. The best 

 safeguard from the anger of bees— as, indeed, from the 

 malice of men — is a quiet and peaceable spirit. Never 

 strike at a single one. The apiarian will learn to handle 

 his bees not only as "if he loved them " — as the quaint 

 angler says — but as if he fully believes that the bees love 

 him. This they will do whenever he approaches and treats 

 them gently. There are some cases of exception to this 

 generally peaceable disposition of the bee ; perchance a 

 few bees are dyspeptic, and refuse to be pacified, let' 



