84 MANAGEMENT OF BEES. 



in the hive for the qaeen she is most apt to be found on combs from 

 which young bees are just hatching. It is best to open hives in the 

 warm part of the day, both because then the propolis is soft and the 

 combs are not necessarily jarred iu removing the m, and because then 

 most of the old bees are absent in the fields. 



In opening a hive blow smoke into the entrance for a few moments, 

 until the subdued hum is distinctly heard, and as the quilt is lifted from 

 one corner, follow it up with smoke. Stand on the side towards which 

 the wind is blowing, least your breath madden the bees. Kemember 

 that the human breath is very offensive to them, and do not breathe 

 directly on them, or you may suffer thereby. 



We recommend beginners always to use a bee veil to to protect the 

 face, and if fearful, also at first, rubber gloves or coarse yarn ones. 

 Gloves of buckskin, leather, and kid have proved of little value, as bees 

 easily sting through them. It is well to have an extra veil or two on 

 hand for use by a visiting friend. As one becomes accustomed to the 

 work he can by degrees leave these off as he finds himself able. But we 

 would caution against entering hives carelessly, because they have been 

 very gentle. Sometimes when the honey ceases to flow, a colony here- 

 tofore the most peaceable, will sting severely if opened without proper 

 precaution. 



Let no patent man beguile you into using moth traps. Strong colon- 

 ies are the best preventives against their depredations. The presence 

 of an unfertile or drone-laying queen, or a fertile worker may be suspect- 

 ed by eggs irregularly laid or found dropped about, outside the cells. 



When honey is scarce in the fields, be careful to leave no sweets expos- 

 ed, and if robbing commences, be quick to stop it, before great mischiei 

 is done. (See "Robbing, '' page 101). 



A word of caution is always necessary to the beginner, least he overdo 



