and Us Economic Management. 291 



queen, and particularly if he wish to hurry the operation 

 of " driving," then first sprinkle the bees with a little 

 sweetened water. After two or three minutes, all will be 

 as harmless as flies. 



Bee Stings 



are, of course, dreaded by the bee-keeper when he is 

 making his early attempts at manipulating, and oc- 

 casionally he is so severely punished, even by a solitary 

 sting, that he may begin to think seriously of giving up. 

 In a few instances the difficulty is never overcome, but as 

 a rule the apiarist becomes in time, not only used to, but 

 quite careless of bee-stings. The system becomes inocu- 

 lated, and whereas formerly uncomfortable and even 

 painful swellings may have followed a sting, after a few 

 years little is felt beyond the first sharp prick. 



As for myself, I can hardly tell where the place is within 

 five minutes after being stung, the little weapon usually 

 being scratched off", or quickly brushed away against the 

 clothing. The white part seen at the rear of the sting 

 being the poison bag should never be pinched when remov- 

 ing it, or the remainder of the venom may be pressed into 

 the wound. 



The Sting: can be Removed by the Bee, 



contrary to general statements. It is not usually done, 

 because the bee is, of course, hastily knocked off", so that 

 not only the sting but part of its body is also torn away. 



When the reader becomes so inured to stings, that when 

 a bee darts straight at his hand, not a muscle will 

 quiver, no matter what operation he is carrying out, 

 then he may perhaps do as I have done — allow the 

 bee to remove its sting in its own way. As soon 

 as the first act is over, the second very natural act 



