THE AUSTRALIAN BEEKEEPERS’ JOURNAL. 93 
occupation of it* new domicile, forgetful that 
the honey-sac of every bee is gorged, and the 
small amount of comb built most fragile; whin, 
a* a natural consequence, the poor bees, alarmed 
and excited, disgorge their honey, the whole 
population becomes a clammy mass, and 
perishes in the midst of it* fallen combs. We 
are cognisant of cases where smoke hus been 
administered to a swarm, with the view of 
quieting it, before despatching it by railway, 
or otherwise, to a friend or purchaser, and the 
swarm on its arrival has been found defunct 
from the above-named results. Since our 
“Hints" are intended to warn the inex- 
perienced against “ how not to do it,” as well 
as to teach them “ how to do it,” let such make 
a note never to use smoke, carbolic acid, or 
other “ intimidant,' 1 in the case of swarms 
Indeed, during the summer months, while the 
honey-flow is on, it is best to dispense with all 
irritants and intimidants whatever, and simply 
to manipulate with " quietness and confidence " 
whenever manipulation is necessary. We 
must, however, except such operations us 
removing super, or introducing a queen. — 
British Bee Journal, 27th May, 1880. 
Stisgs and Gloves. 
I am quite pleased to see “ A Cottager’s ’’ 
experience, which quite agrees with mine. I 
have stocks which are quite a pleasure to work 
w ith, others which at times are ungovernable 
(and these latter are the ones, by the way, 
which led me to abandon the smoker, — when 
they are at their worst it is of no use, w hen 
at their beat it is not needed.) Now given 
these two fact*, irritable bees und the pain 
und inconvenience of stings, why should gloves 
not be worn P Granted that they are clumsy 
— one get* accustomed to work with them, 
and as for their causing loss of hee life, I don’t 
admit this. If 1 manipulate carefully, it is not 
often that a lice leaves it* sting in my gloves, 
but should it try, give it time and it will 
usually withdraw it* sting by a rotatory 
motion, except it be one that is determined on 
death, when it stretches itself flat on its chest 
in intense anger and draws itself away from 
it* sting. Hut this would occur just the same 
on the bare skin! Again, I have often seen 
bees prick the glove* slightly with the sting 
and repeatedly, till a vulnerable part was 
reached- say the wri*t when the under gloves 
are too short— and then in goes the sting deeply. 
In this com* the glove* I should say prevented 
the destruction of the bee. 
With alt deference to those that are bee- 
proof, I must still conclude that if I were com- 
pelled to manipulate my hybrids without 
gloves or veil, 1 should prefer to place myself 
on the retired list of beekeeper*. While on 
the subject of stings, I have observed two | 
thing* not so far a* I jenow mentioned. First, 
that after the sting has become separated from 
the bee, it continued t > eject the poison by 
intermittent and visible contractions of the 
poison-sac; second, if themi rest tipofthe newly 
detached sting be slightly inserted in the skin 
the motions of the sting cause it to penetrate 
more deeply. Can anyone inform me by 
experience whether intiiarubher gloves are 
efficacious or not ? '1 hey would be less clumsy. 
— British Bee Journal, 20th May, 1886. 
How TO TAKE A SWARM. 
It is one of the first rules of beekeeping to 
have everything ready before it is actually 
wunted, for there are so many event* which 
occur suddtnty or unexpectedly with bee*, 
that there is no time to look about for things 
when these occasions arise. Swarming i» one 
of these events, and a swarm of bees must be 
looked after without delay, if our beginner 
does not wish them to abscond. Therefore early 
in spring the beekeeper should get one spare 
hive at least ready for every stock he has, and 
he should also arrange where he w ill place any 
swurms he may get; let him also have a box or 
clean bucket or a close- wove basket for taking 
the swarm in. Many who use ordinary boxes 
for hive* take the swarm direct into the box 
they willoccupy permanently jbut it will some- 
time* lie found more convenient to first take 
them in a small box or basket, and afterwards 
get them into the proper hive. It is well also 
to have a small sheet of calico or old canvas, 
an old tablecloth or small sheet will do well, a 
goose wing or large soft brush, and a watering 
can with water. The exact mode of proceed- 
ing w ill depend upon how und where the sw arm 
has settled, for they will sometime* settle in 
very awkard places. Most often, however, 
the first swarms alight on some low bush or 
small tree near the hives. Although bees 
seldom sting during swarming, unless hurt, 
the beginner will probably have more confi- 
dence if he is protected by a bee veil and 
gloves, for it is important that there should be 
no nervousness, uncertainty, or hurried rough- 
ness in taking i sw arm. As soon as the bees 
have all settled and clustered pretty cioaely, 
hanging in a large bunch from a branch or 
bush, hold your box or basket carefully under 
it with one hand, and, if possible, in such a 
way a* to partially enclose the swarm, 
with the other hand give the branch or bush 
a sharp shake until nearly all the bees are 
dislodged into the box. If the box is one you 
intend to keep the bees in permanently, 
spread your sheet of calico on the ground, near 
to where they had settled, and gently place 
the box and swarm on it, propping up one 
edge of the box with a stone or piece of wood. 
The beta will soon settle themselves m the 
