168 
In performing any operation in the hive, such as re- 
moving combs, making examinations of the interior, 
transferring queen-cells, or taking off full honey-boxes, 
etc., the bees are usually subdued with smoke from a 
roll of cotton rags. This roll should be at least one 
inch in diameter, and wrapped with thread at intervals 
of an inch, so as to burn and not blaze. To use it, 
light one end, and after it is fairly ignited, extinguish 
the flame and blow the smoke into the hive through the 
entrance, until a loud humming is heard, which is the 
usual sign that the bees are aroused and filling them- 
selves with honey in good earnest; wait a few minutes, 
and blow in a few more whiffs of smoke, remove the 
cap and boxes, blow a little smoke on the bees above, 
and any operation may then be performed. On the ap- 
proach of autumn, the bees are not so easily controlled, 
the honey in the hive being nearly all capped over, and 
they must be allowed more time to fill themselves. It 
is also more difficult to subdue them at night or when 
the weather is cool, or when raising queens. To quiet 
the bees on such occasions, some recommend the addi- 
tion of tobacco, enclosed in the rags. That it is effec- 
tive may be judged from the fact that if a little more 
tobacco smoke than is needed is blown into the hive, 
many bees will drop from their combs. The use of to- 
bacco is very objectionable, being injurious to the bees, 
giving a disagreeable scent to the combs, and a bad fla- 
vor to the honey. 
