CHAPTER IX 
CORRECT MANIBULATION 
THE gréat majority of the people who kéep bees 
have much to learn as regards the proper handling 
of their stock. This is usually due to sheer ignor- 
ance, owing to the lack of.a little tuition or the 
want of a reliable text-book or periodical. It is 
rarely through any unwillingness to learn, as the 
modern methods are in every way cleaner, quicker, 
and far more pleasant than the antiquated forms 
of apiculture met with in many secluded districts. 
Occasionally one comes across some hoary-headed 
unbeliever who persists in keeping to the tradi- 
tions created by some remote ancestor, but the 
breed is fast dying out, and bids fair soon to be- 
come extinct. 
The great secret of manipulating bees is to be 
gentle but firm, and the more the former quality, 
is cultivated the less need will there be of the 
latter. Bees are very nervous insects, and object 
exceedingly to anything in the way of roughness. 
_ In opening a frame-hive always stand at the back 
of it if possible, or at the side, but never in front 
of the entrance. A veil must be worn, but no 
gloves, and some form of subjugator will be re- 
E 65 
