QUIETING AND HANDLING BEES. 37 
out, but finding that impossible they will then rush to their stoTes 
and fill themselves with honey. 
In the general work of the apiary, such as removing combs, 
queen-cells, boxes of honey, &c., we seldom use anything but 
smoke from a roll of cotton rags. These rolls should be an inch 
or more in diameter, and rolled just tight enough to burn and 
not blaze, and should be kept on hand with some matches in a 
dry place near the apiary. "When a stock is to be opened, light 
one end of a roll and blow a few whiffs of smoke into the en- 
trance, wait a few minutes for the bees to fill themselves with 
honey, then blow in more smoke and remove the cap, loosening 
the frames with a knife, direct a little smoke between the combs, 
and proceed to perform any operation desired. If other stocks 
are close and the bees interfere, blow smoke into the entrance 
of each hive. Toward fall, when bees have become rich in 
stores, they are harder to control. They are also more irrita- 
ble in cool, cloudy weather, which prevents them from visit- 
ing the flowers. At such times, a little smoking tobacco scat- 
tered upon and rolled up with the rags, will effectually trau- 
quilize them. Or, if addicted to the use of the pipe or cigar, 
the rags may be saved. In short, by the use of smoke, timely 
given and repeated as needed, bees may be kept in subjection for 
any length of time. Some use water, sweetened with sugar or 
honey. Sugar is preferable as the scent will not so readily at- 
tract bees from other hives. Sprinkle it upon the bees with a 
small clothes broom. Give them time to fill themselves, and 
they will have no disposition to sting. The sweetened water is 
very useful in uniting, and for keeping swarms quiet when away 
from their combs. Although, by using care and gentleness in 
