Texas Beekeeping. 21 



A profitable way to begin in beekeeping is to visit successful bee- 

 keepers and, if possible, arrange to learn under them. It is a good 

 plan to engage with such for a season 's work, in order to gain knowl- 

 edge of the art. It is really the best way to make a beginning. 



Above all, it should be remembered that the start should be made 

 with only a few hives and the number of colonies be increased as 

 experience gained will allow. Go slow at first and do not plunge into 

 beekeeping. It does not pay. 



It should also be borne in mind that there is not only a bright side 

 to the avocation, but that in it, as in everything else, unfavorable 

 conditions may be encountered and short honey crops, or even failures, . 



ay be the result after the very best efforts in some years. 



HANDLING BEES. 



1 



Persons not acquainted with the habits of bees will feel as if the 

 most important thing to have before getting the bees is a suit of 

 termor. This is not as important as many persons imagine ; but, with 

 ihost bees, proper protection of the face and hands is decidedly de- 

 sirable; and, although some experienced beekeepers claim that they 

 njever use veils and gloves, they are to be recommended, especially 

 for beginners, to guard against mishaps that might end seriously. 

 Sime races of bees are more easily handled than others and some per- 

 sotis find all bees hard to manipulate, which is more a fault of 

 theirs than the bees. Persons who are naturally afraid of bees incite 

 their anger to a certain extent by their actions, while those who show 

 no fear are rarely ever stung. Patience, care and good judgment are 

 necessary in managing bees to advantage. The best time to handle 

 theiiji is during the middle of warm days and never at night or during 

 cold] or wet days, unless absolutely necessary. All that is required is 



a good smoker and a good veil to 

 protect the face. It is not so nec- 

 essary to wear gloves, and it takes 

 but a short time to acquire sufScient 

 confidence to run the risk of a few 

 stings on the hands rather than ha\re 

 the inconvenience of any covering 

 that interferes with the free use 

 of the fingers. For the beginner, or 

 timid person, cotton gloves with long wrists are preferable. These are 

 made tvith, or without, fingers and, while not absolutely sting proof, 

 are cheaper and more comfortable than rubber gloves. 



A good smoker is the most essential equipment for handling bees. 

 The smbker, in which dry rotten wood, the best fuel for smoke, has 

 been started with some live coals, or a match, is used to frighten the 

 bees and cause them to fill themselves with honey, after which they are 

 not inclined to resent disturbance. As the hive is approached, a little 

 smoke sljould be blown in at the entrance, then a little under the cover 

 as ft is raised off, when a little more, from time to time, as the bees 

 are handled, will enable one to examine every part of the hive. Too 

 mukh smoke must not be employed. It should be used at the right 



