QTIETINO AND HANDLING BEES. 



43 



out, but failing will fill themselves with honey. 



Formerly small rolls of cotton cloth with tobacco 

 added at times were used for smoking bees, but 

 since the invention of the Bellows Smoker no bee- 

 keeper can afford to be without it. It will hold 

 fire for hours from cotton rags, rotten wood or any 

 thing suitable. It is worked with one hand and 

 puffs smoke in dense volumes into the hive or 

 among the combs. On opening a hive puff a little 

 smoke into the entrance and wait a moment for them 

 to fill themselves with honey. If other stocks 

 are close and the bees interfere, blow smoke into the entrance 

 of each hive. Toward fall, when bees have become rich in 

 stores, they are harder to control. They are also more irrita- 

 ble in cool, cloudy weather, which prevents them from visit- 

 ing the flowers. At such times, a little smoking tobacco scat- 

 tered upon and rolled up with the rags, will effectually tran- 

 quilize them. Or, if addicted to the use of the pipe or cigar, 

 the rags may be saved. In short, by the use of smoke, timely 

 given and repeated as needed, bees may be kept in subjection for 

 any length of time. Some use water, sweetened with sugar or 

 honey. Sugar is preferable as the scent will not so readily at- 

 tract bees from other hives. Sprinkle it upon the bees with a 

 small clothes broom. Give them time to fill themselves, and 

 they will have no disposition to sting. The sweetened water ia 

 very useful in uniting, and for keeping swarms quiet when away 

 from their combs. Although, by using care and gentleness in 



