THE CHEMISTRY OF THE HIVE. 
6oi 
wetted, to apply methylated spirits (alcohol), which 
dissolves the propolis quickly, although it is not 
quite efficient in removing the stain. The structure 
of the hives should be such as to reduce propolising to 
a minimum, as in my anti-propolising frame (page 69), 
the comfort of using which can hardly be imagined by 
those having only ordinary types. The hands of the 
amateur will be considerably saved by moistening 
with glycerine before and during manipulating, as 
the glycerine intervenes bet\veen the skin and the 
propolis, and prevents adhesion. Great comfort will 
also be secured by carefully rubbing tallow — or, better, 
vaseline — upon the parts which it is desired to move, 
as the bees are disinclined to propolise greasy surfaces, 
while the grease keeps the propolis in such a soft 
state that it does not accomplish the purpose intended 
by the little artificers. Some races propolise less than 
others, notably the Carniolans ; while none gather any 
after October, until the succeeding April, so that clean 
fixings put on in wintering will so remain until the 
following spring. 
The sources of propolis are many, the leaf-buds of 
various shrubs and trees providing it — the poplar, the 
alder, the beech, the willow, the fir, and others, giving 
resinous exudations in the axils of their leaves and 
bracts ; while, e.g., the resinous and exceedingly adhesive 
leaf-buds of the horse chestnut, and the varnish-coated 
blossom-buds of the hollyhock, must be known to all. 
Huber, in his experiments, planted some branches 
of the wild poplar before the leaves were developed) 
and placed them in pots near his apiary. The bees, 
alighting on them, separated the folds of the largest 
