If there are only scattered fruit trees, or the weather is cold at the 
time they bloom, there will be no surplus honey, for the bees will 
need all for their numerous young. 
In working -vvath bees, care should be taken that }-our veil be 
secure and tight. Bees crawl under and up as do flies in a trap, and 
a veil that traps bees is most disconcerting to a beginner. A man 
will find bicycle cHps on his trousers a great protection, and the cos- 
tume of the Woman's Land Army, worn with the smock tucked in 
or tied tightly about the waist is a good way for a woman to dress. 
It is best to work with bees about the middle of the day, or at least 
when it is warm and sunny, and above all when there is nectar in the 
flowers. The bees then are in a good himior and one can very often 
work without gloves. Light colored cotton clothes are recommended 
because the work is warm and because the bees prefer them to dark 
colors. Woolen materials attract stings. 
Before opening a hive, blow a httle smoke in at the entrance, and 
tap several times on the hive. This disorganizes and confuses the bees 
so that they do not take so much notice of you when you open it. 
Stand to one side or behind the hive so you will not interfere with the 
bees flpng to and from the fields. Then pry the Hd off gently. Avoid 
sudden or quick motions when working vrith. bees. When the Hd is 
lifted quantities of these little insects will be seen crawHng about in 
the hive, and many will fly up in the air, and about your head. Do 
not try to dodge them, nor slap at them with your hand; just ignore 
them, and gently pry one of the end frames loose so it can be lifted 
out. In ever}' hive body there are eight or ten frames, holding a 
large comb, and in these combs the life history of the bee can be seen 
and studied, step by step, through the various stages of its develop- 
ment, ^■yter examining the hive, if it is found necessary to have a super, 
place one on top of the hive body, and the lid on top of that. In a 
week look at the bees again, and if the cells are being capped with wax, 
along the upper part of the combs in the super, it is time for a second 
super. This time it is placed between the hive body and the first 
super, instead of on top. When again time for a third super, it is 
placed just over the hive body, with the two former supers on top. 
When it is time to take the honey away, or as soon as the first super 
is finished, and the cells all sealed with wax, a de\ise, called a honey 
board, is shpped betw-een the top and lower super. In this honey board 
is a trap, which prevents the bees from going into the super, but 
allows those in it to escape. If the board is left on the hive for twenty- 
four hours or more all the bees wiQ leave, and the super can be carried 
into the house. Here the boxes can be pried apart and put away, 
?iot in the refrigerator but in a warm, dry place, protected from mice, 
II 
