MANUAL OF THE APIARY. 197' 



cool, does not impede vision at all, and can be made by any 

 woman at a cost of less than twenty cents. Common buck- 

 skin or sheep-skin gloves can be used, as it will scarcely pay 

 to get special gloves for the purpose, for the most timid per- 

 son — I speak from experience— will soon consider gloves an 

 unnecessary nuisance. 



Special rubber gloves are sold by those who keep on hand 

 apiarian supplies. 



Some apiarists think that dark clothing is specially ob- 

 noxious to bees. 



For ladies, my friend, Mrs. Baker, recommends a dress 

 which, by use of the rubber skirt-lift or other device, can be 

 instantly raised or lowered. This will be convenient in the 

 apiary, and tidy anywhere. The Gabrielle style is preferred, 

 and of a length just to reach the floor. It should be belted 

 at the waist, and cut down from the neck in front, one-third 

 the length of the waist, to permit the tucking in of the veil. 

 The under-waist should fasten close about the neck. The 

 sleeves should be quite long to allow free use of the arms, 

 and gathered in with a rubber cord at the wrist, which will 

 hug the rubber gauntlets or arm, and prevent bees from crawl- 

 ing up the sleeves. The pantalets should be straight and 

 full, and should also have the rubber cord in the hem to draw 

 them close about the top of the shoes. 



Mrs. Baker also places great stress on the wet " head-cap," 

 which she believes the men even would find a great comfort. 

 This is a simple, close-fitting cap, made of two thicknesses 

 of coarse toweling. The head is wet with cold water, and the 

 cap wet in the same, wrung out, and placed on the head. 



Mrs. Baker would have the dress neat and clean, and so 

 trimmed'that the lady apiarist would ever be ready to greet 

 her brother or sister apiarists. In such a dress there is no 

 danger of stings, and with it there is that show of neatness 

 and taste, without which no pursuit could attract the atten- 

 tion, or at least the patronage, of our refined women. 



TO QUIET BEES. 



In harvest seasons, the bees, especially if Italians, can 

 almost always be handled without their showing resentment. 

 But at other times, and whenever they object to necessary- 



