HINTS ON WORKING THE BEES 59 
that everything should be done slowly and 
deliberately and never jerkily. Nothing irri- 
tates bees more than erratic or jerky move- 
ments on the part of those manipulating the 
hives. 
Until one has definitely proved immunity 
from the bee-sting it is necessary that all safe- 
guards should be adopted before any work is 
attempted on hives of which the bees are in 
possession. The veil, gloves, and gauntlets 
should be donned and the trousers tied tightly 
round the ankles to prevent the incursion in 
that direction of any roving member of the 
hive. For although bees are usually on good 
terms with their owner they are subject to 
varying moods, and it is well to run no un- 
necessary risks. 
The Smoker.—The smoker should always 
be ready to hand, charged and lighted, with 
matches immediately available in case the fuel 
does not burn properly. As already explained, 
the effect of the smoker is to cause the bees to 
gorge themselves with food and so become 
good-tempered. Having removed the roof of 
the hive, one corner of the quilt is raised and 
a little smoke blown under it. The operation 
should be repeated in two or three different 
places, and then an interval of two or three 
