THE BEE. 
297 
smoke poured. The box being fixed on the nose of the bellows, and the 
end being placed against the entrance of the hive, a few vigorous puffs 
soon fill the hive with the stupefying smoke, under whose effects, after a 
brief buzz of indignant astonishment, the bees are heard falling as thick 
as hail, and in a few minutes all is still within, 
In performing the work of fumigation, many failures have occurred, 
from setting about the operation too hastily, or from the non-observ- 
ance of a few rules that can be easily remembered, and as easily put in 
practice. In the first place, great care must be taken that the smoke 
of the fungus or other material used for the purpose is not admitted into 
the hive at too high a temperature. If this is the case, the heat of the 
smoke will in the first place scorch and kill the bees, who will rush to 
the entrance of the hive on the first intrusion of the fumigating tube, and 
will also melt the wax of the combs, and do considerable mischief. The 
tube, therefore, should be a very long one, and small in diameter. There 
is no hurry about the operation, work the bellows quite deliberately, 
and the danger of burning the poor bees, or spoiling the combs, will be 
avoided. There is hardly a more pitiable sight than to find on turning 
up the hive a number of bees lying on the board, with scorched and 
shriveled wings — a loss of no small importance, as you will want every 
bee to set to work immediately, to repair the devastations committed in 
the hive. Another mistake not unfrequently occurs in following Mr. 
Cotton’s directions too literally. It is not sufficient to have the fumi- 
gating box made merely of tin, as will most certainly be done if that 
order is sent to a tinman, for the heat of the ignited puff-ball will 
speedily melt the solder, and the whole apparatus will fall to pieces. A 
case of this kind occurred very recently. The box and tube were made 
according to order, the clay prepared for stopping the entrance of the 
hive round the tube, the fungus was duly lighted, placed in the box, the 
bellows fitted, and then vigorously worked. Suddenly, while the oper- 
ators were complacently puffing away at the bellows, and congratulating 
themselves on securing both honey and bees by this method, the box 
fell in pieces, the tube consequently was drawn out of the hive door, and 
out rushed the bees in a tumultuous state of indignation, thereby putting 
their would-be captors to an ignominious flight. So, lest you meet with 
a similar misfortune, give particular orders to have the whole affair made 
fire-proof, and then you may proceed without the least danger. Of course 
this must all be done some hours after dark, or the bees who are already 
out will soon signify their dislike of finding intruders when they return 
to the hive. It is also necessary to be very quick in cutting out the 
combs, as the bees do not remain long in their state of torpor or 
intoxication, and aro quite ready on their revival to employ their stings. 
Always examine the combs that arc removed, to see if any bees are left 
in them, as not unfrequently, when they begin to find that they cannot 
overpower the vapor, they dive to the bottom of an empty cell, and 
sometimes are so protected by this precaution, that they revive rather 
sooner than their less fortunate companions. The wax of the combs 
thus obtained is much whiter than if sulphur is used, and of course, will 
fetch a higher price in the market, besides being free from a slight tinge 
of sulphury flavor, which hangs about then* for a long time. 
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