and its Economic Management. 



CHAPTER 



HOW TO HANDLE BEES. 



^^ MONG the uninitiated the general impression is that 

 Lm^ bees are certain to sting if molested, but if let alone 

 they will not touch one. This is to a certain extent 

 true, and while a novice would generally be unable to open 

 a hive to take out the combs and bees, without being 

 attacked, the expert may do almost anything with neither 

 veil nor gloves, and seldom receive a sting. Of course, 

 the difference is that the former has not yet gained that 

 caution and confidence necessary in all his manipulations, 

 and this will come only by practice ; no one can give him 

 the desired skill to start with. A calm and deliberate 

 motion should be acquired by all who hope to handle bees- 

 successfully. I have known those who were looked uporj 

 as experts to have a very unpleasant manner while 

 manipulating bees, making it unsafe for any unprotected 

 companion, and disturbing a whole apiary for days. 

 Though such operator may not himself mind stings, this 

 carelessness should be overcome if the owners visited are 

 to have any pleasure in their apiaries. 



Precaution against Robbing. 



Where an expert is called upon to put an apiary in 

 order, or remove the crop of honey, difficulties are likely 

 to occur before he can get through a large number at one 



