196 
MANAGEMENT IN SPRING. 
Almost every writer on the subject of bees has 
given a cure for their sting, ami a recipe for a bee- 
dress. As remedies against the venom, olive-oil, 
vitriol, laudanum, vinegar, and even simple water, 
have each their advocates ; and old Butler prescribes 
the rubbing the wound with simple saliva. We have 
found no remedy so efficacious as the juice of a plant 
we have seldom to go far in search of, the common 
dock, bruised, and rubbed instantly on the wound, 
after the sting has been withdrawn. The rubbing 
should be continued for ten or fifteen minutes ; it will 
allay the pain, and very generally prevents the part 
from swelling. With regard to defensive coverings, 
we have seen none described which were not greatly 
wanting in simplicity and facility of management. 
Many of them, also, are very uncomfortable to the 
wearers, particularly the cloth hoods which reach 
down over the shoulders, and by confining and con- 
centrating the heat of the body and breath about the 
head and face, give more annoyance than a few stings 
would do. We have tried most of these dresses, and 
have laid them aside ; and now we use only a thin 
gauze or crape veil, sewed quite round the edge of 
the hat-rim, the projection of which keeps the veil 
at due distance from the face. To prevent the bees 
from getting within it, the sides of the veil are sewed 
together behind, and the under part of it stuffed 
within the neck of the vest. This, with a pair of stout 
leather or w oollen gloves, forms our whole defensive 
armour ; it is put off and on in a few seconds, and 
proves perfectly sufficient for the purpose intended. 
