24 BEE-KEEPING IN WAR-TIME 



subjugator. The former can be blown into the hive from a 

 pipe or cigarette, but usually an appliance caUed a smoker 

 is used. This is a tin cylinder having a removable conical 

 nozzle with the pointed end open, the other being like the 

 bottom of an ordinary tin. This is fastened on to the top 

 of a small pair of bellows with a connection between the 

 two at the bottom end. Ordinary thick felty brown paper 

 or corrugated paper is rolled into a cartridge to fit the barrel 

 of the smoker ; this is lighted at one end and put in the barrel 

 with the lighted portion furthest away from the nozzle. The 

 bellows are then worked, when the air passing through the 

 lighted cartridge carries the smoke out at the open nozzle 

 in a dense volume. 



If it is intended to use carbolic fumes, then a calico cloth, 

 just a little larger than the top of the brood chamber, is 

 sprinkled with a weak solution of carbolic acid and water. 

 This, when not in use, should be kept in an air-tight tin to 

 prevent the escape of the odour. 



When manipulating bees it will be necessary to protect 

 the face. This should always be done by wearing a veil. 

 It should be of ample proportions, and be constructed of 

 white mosquito netting for coolness, with a black panel 

 of black silk net in the front to enable the operator to have 

 the best possible vision. The veil should have an elastic 

 band at the top and bottom to make it fit tightly and prevent 

 bees from getting inside. It should be worn on a hat with 

 a very wide brim to hold it clear from the face. 



Gloves should not be worn as they make the fingers clumsy 

 and mitigate against gentle handling. The sleeve cuffs should 

 be secured with elastic bands to prevent the bees creeping 

 up, the trouser bottoms either tucked into the socks or 

 treated the same as the sleeves. 



When it is necessary to attend to the bees, proper prepara- 

 tion should be made. Have everything ready, decide upon 

 the work to be done, carry it out as expeditiously as possible, 

 then shut the bees down and leave them alone. Compati- 

 able with good management, the less bees are disturbed the 

 better they will thrive. Constant meddling is one of the 

 mistakes perpetrated by the beginner. 



The following procedure will give an idea of how the work 



should be carried out, but one practical demonstration by a 



' " - ,-,5 better than much reading of how to do it. 



operated upon and blow a few puffs 



