25 
quilt is drawn off exposing the top bars of the frames, draw the 
subduing cloth after it, so that it shall lie on the frames (Fig. 21). 
Then lay the quilt on the ground under side up, in front of and 
par'y lying on the alighting board, so that the bees adhering 
to :< may pass into the hive. If it is desired to examine the 
bac: frames only, the quilt should be peeled off from back to 
fronc, as far as necessary, drawing the subduing cloth over the 
frames as the quilt is removed. If after a little time the bees 
show a continued inclination to surge up to the top of the 
frames, the feathers (64) should be withdrawn from the 
entrance. The subduing cloth should be allowed to rest on the 
frames for from one to three minutes according to the special 
circumstances of the case; if it is left on too long the bees will 
be driven off the brood combs, and the brood would be liable 
to be chilled (164). If it is necessary to lift the dummy (285), 
another subduing cloth should be allowed to hang behind the 
last frame ; this will drive the bees to the front, so that the rear 
of the body-box (21) will be clear of bees when it is necessary 
to replace the dummy. If, notwithstanding the above-men- 
tioned treatment, the bees become so unmanageable as to render 
manipulation difficult, it may be advisable to replace the cover- 
ings and postpone operations, taking care to withdraw the sub- 
duing cloth and feathers; or the smoker (66) may be used. 
To replace the quilt, spread the subduing cloth over the frames ; 
then spread the quilt flat on the subduing cloth; next, while 
holding one side of the quilt with one hand to retain it in its 
proper position, withdraw the subduing cloth with the other, 
leaving the quilt on theframes. If, asmay often occur when food 
is scarce, the hive does not contain stores of unsealed food with 
which the bees can gorge themselves, some syrup should be 
poured on the combs so that it may trickle down them, the 
bees will then readily gorge themselves with it; about two 
tablespoonfuls of syrup is sufficient for a strong stock. A good 
method of giving syrup for quieting is to spread a piece of 
butter-muslin across the top bars, and to pour the syrup upon 
it. 
The use of the smoker is not recommended in ordinary practice ; 
so far as possible bees should be subdued 
66. Subduing with by one of the methods already described ; 
Smoker. there are, however, occasions on which 
the use of the smoker is recommended in 
the instructions which follow. 
Having charged and lighted the smoker (44), insert the nozzle 
at the hive door, and then blow in three or four puffs of smoke. 
Then wait for three or four minutes, after which the hive may 
be uncovered as described above (65). Then turn back the 
quilt and blow a few pufis of smoke on the tops of the frames as 
the quilt is withdrawn; the smoker should then be placed at 
hand, nozzle up, for further use when necessary. 
