56 BEE-FARMING. 



them to smoke the hive, before commencing operations, 

 with old fustian. 



After all, although the story may raise a smile, the old 

 man's secret is of value ; of course, anything causing suffi- 

 cient smoke will answer equally well, but we are not aware 

 of any material so handy, and at the same time so effective, 

 as fustian. 



This is the grand secret of quieting bees, and rendering 

 them so amiable and good humoured that you may do 

 almost anything with them — first smoke them. 



The method to be pursued is simply this : procure a little 

 tinder, or an old cotton stocking ; ignite it so as to cause it 

 to smoke plentifully ; then cautiously proceed to the en- 

 trance or mouth of the hive, and for about a minute blow 

 the smoke into the hive amongst the bees. At the first 

 pufF of smoke a peculiar hum is distinctly heard, which 

 indicates that the bees are rushing to the top of the combs 

 (where the honey is stored), where they suck up as much 

 honey as their stomachs will contain. After this, turn up 

 the hives, or, if they are Woodbury bar-frame hives, open 

 the top board and take out bar after bar, filled with comb, 

 and covered with thousands of the inmates, without fear 

 of being stung — the bees appear powerless and quite 

 bewildered, clinging to the comb. Some few may take to 

 the wing and fly about — these, however, are generally 

 peaceable. 



In any case, no matter how much control the apiarian 

 has over his stocks, we recommend him to wear a bee- 

 dress. There are always a few bees in every hive very 

 difficult to pacify; bees, perhaps, of bilious tempera- 

 ment, which cannot be charmed with smoke, and the mo- 

 moment you approach the stand they will set up a peculiar 

 piping hum (once heard, not easily mistaken) and dart 

 without warning at your eyes. As it is not pleasant to 

 have these useful organs swollen so as to be unable to 



