28 THE HIVE AND HONBT-BEE. 



hive and drumming upon it for a short time. The vari- 

 ous processes, however, for inducing bees to fill them- 

 selves with honey, are more fully explained in the chap- 

 ter on Artificial Swarming. 



By the methods above described, I can superintend a 

 large Apiary, performing every operation necessary for 

 pleasure or profit, without as much risk of being stung 

 a^ must frequently be incurred in attempting to manage 

 a single hive in the ordinary way. 



Let all your motions about your hives be gentle and 

 slow. Accustom your bees to your presence : never 

 crush or injure them, or breathe upon them in any ope- 

 ration ; acquaint yourself fully with the principles of man- 

 agement detailed in this treatise, and you will find that 

 you have little more reason to dread the sting of a bee, 

 than the horns of a favorite cow, or the heels of your 

 faithful horse. 



Equipped with a bee-hat (PI. XI., Figs. 25, 27) and 

 india-rubber gloves, even the most timid, by avaOing 

 themselves of these principles, may open my hives and 

 deal with their bees with a freedom astonishing to many 

 of the oldest cultivators on the common plan : for in the 

 management of the most extensive Apiary, no operation 

 will ever be necessary, which, by exasperating a whole 

 ■colony, impels them to assail with almost irresistible fury 

 the person of the bee-keeper. 



