THE HONEY-BEE CAPABLE OP BEING TAMED. 195 



"Nothing has given me quite so much satisfaction as salt- 

 peter-rags. Like the right kind of rotten wood, the least 

 spark will light a saltpeter-rag so that it will be sure to go, 

 but it is not so slow in its action as the rotten wood and makes 

 a much greater heat, so that chips of sound, hard wood will 

 at once be started into a secure fire. To prepare the salt- 

 peter-rags a crock is kept constantly standing containing a solu- 

 tion of saltpeter. The strength of the solution is not a matter 

 of great nicety. A quarter or a half pound of saltpeter may 

 be used to a gallon of water, and if it evaporates so that the 

 solution becomes stronger, water may be added. A cotton rag 

 dipped in this solution will be ready for use as soon as dried. 

 As a matter of convenience, quite a lot of rags are prepared 

 at a time. They are wrung out of the solution and spread out 

 to dry in the sun." 



383. Some Apiarists of England have tried several liquids, 

 for rubbing on the hands, to pacify the bees. Most of these 

 liquids are hydro-carbonous fluids, or volatile oils of plants, 

 such as wintergreen, turpentine, bergamot, cloves, thyme, etc. 

 Mr. Grimshaw, after divers trials, invented a compound of 

 several of these oils, to which he seems to have added ether 

 and chloroform, if our sense of smell does not mislead us. 

 He calls it Apifuge. 



Several apiarists praise this drug, while others say that 

 their bees did not mind it, and sting them as usual; and some 

 complain of blisters on their hands after its use. {British 

 Bee-Journal. ) 



Mr. Cowan presented us with a vial of Apifuge, but, after 

 trying, we cannot see much advantage to be derived from its 

 use. 



384. Mr. Raynor advises the use of a carbolized sheet, to 

 frighten bees : 



"Make a solution of 3 oz. carbolic acid in a quart of water, 

 and preserve for use. Mix 1% oz. of this solution with 1% oz. 

 of glycerine; put the mixture in a quart of water, shake well 

 before using; steep in the mixture a piece of calico, or cheese 



