236 Beekeeping 



corner of the mat lifted to admit smoke. The covering 

 then may be removed and the manipulation begun. In 

 case the bees become troublesome at any time during the 

 work, as they probably will if it is continued for a time, 

 more smoke may be blown over or directed down between 

 the frames to disorganize new guards. No directions need 

 be given as to the way to recognize trouble and it need 

 only be stated that the most common fault is to use smoke 

 too freely. During all manipulations the operator should 



stand at the side or back 

 of the hive and not in 

 front of it, to prevent in- 

 terference of bees leaving 

 and returning to the hive. 

 If one wishes to examine 

 the brood chamber when 

 the colony is in two or 

 more hive bodies or has 



Fig. 100. -Hive-body resting on cover COmb-honey SUperS, the 



during manipulation. hive cover serves as a 



good support for the re- 

 moved bodies. They are placed diagonally on the cover 

 (Fig. 100) with only four points of support, thus avoiding 

 the crushing of bees. If a second body is removed, it may 

 be placed out of line on the first in the same manner. If the 

 bees show signs of robbing, combs in removed bodies should 

 be more carefully protected. 



Remedies for stings. 



Various remedies for stings have been advocated but they 

 are all valueless. The puncture made by the sting is so 

 small that no liquid can enter it after the sting is removed 

 and the opening has closed. As soon as practical, imme- 

 diately if possible, the sting should be removed, care being 

 taken not to squeeze the attached poison sac. This can be 

 done by scraping the sting out with a knife blade or the finger 

 nail. After this is done the injured spot should not be 



