18 



handle bees is during the middle of tie day when the majority of the 

 field bees are absent from the hive. Never attempt to handle bees on 

 cold damp days or at night, unless absolutely necessary. 



HTVB MANIPUIiATION. 



It is advised that a beginner in beekeeping visit an experienced apiarist 

 to get suggestions and ideas in handling bees. More can be learned in a 

 one day visit witli a professional beekeeper than can be acquired in hours 

 of reading literature on apiculture. Each beekeeper has his own methods 

 and short cuts obtained by personal experimentation and study of bee 

 activity which in reality are essentials in practical bee culture. For 

 those who do not have the opportunities to obtain hints and suggestions 

 on the proper manipulation of a colony of bees from a seasoned bee- 

 keeper, apply the following directions. 



Whenever working in the apiary the smoker should be lighted and 

 the veil put in place before opening any hives. When the beekeeper 

 desires to examine the interior of the hive it is best to direct a few 

 puffs of smoke into the entrance before removing the cover. This 

 drives back the guards and causes the bees to fill up with honey which 

 renders them tractable. Next, step to the rear or side of the hive and 

 gently raise the cover and blow a little smoke vigorously over the top 

 of the frames, or If a mat is used, remove the cover entirely and lift 

 one corner, directing the smoke over the frames as it is being removed. 

 Never use more smoke than necessary to keep the bees down on the 

 frames. If at any time during manipulation the bees show signs of 

 excitement give them a little more smoke. After exposing the frames, 

 carefully pry them loose with the hive tool and crowd them to one side 

 in order to permit sufficient room for the removal of the first frame. 

 Gently remove the frame and lean it against the hive so there will be 

 more room inside for handling the remaining. It is essential to 

 be careful in all manipulations not to crowd or crush any bees as it 

 greatly irritates the colony and may make it necessary to discontinue 

 operations. Furthermore the queen may be killed or injured in care- 

 less handling. Bees crawling on the hands may either be thrown or 

 gently brushed ofi^. 



EXAMINING THE FRAME. 



Always hold the frames over the hive as much as possible during 

 examination so if any bees or the queen fall they would drop back 

 into the hive. Likewise any honey dropping from the comb and falling 

 into the hive is quickly removed while otherwise if dropped on the out- 

 side It is lost or may incite robbery. The frame on which the queen 

 is found should never be taken out and placed against the hive as she 

 may crawl away and be lost. Always lean the frame on the side 

 farthest from the operator so as to prevent the bees from crawling 

 up the legs. 



In lifting the frame from the hive grasp each end with the hands 

 and raise it straight up and out of the brood chamber or hive body 

 and hold it in a vertical position with one side toward the operator. 



