STINGING OF BEES. 
15 
I have hail in hives on the side of the pavement during two 
summers, where footmen passed every few moments, never 
stung. Yet bees keep a special guard over their homes, and 
anything they understand to be ap attack on their hives, 
they will resent with desperation. Breathing on them is 
offensive — any striking or other quick motions will induce an 
assault; but more especially jarring the hives, even the most 
trifling, will drive them forth in great fury ; and the poison- 
ous odor emitted by a single sting, makes it doubly sure that 
others will follow in large numbers and with increased fe- 
rocity, until the provoking cause is removed. Bees once 
enraged sometimes remaiu so for days or weeks. When 
among bees always move quietly; if attacked hold the head 
down and place your hands over your face. Bees instinctively 
know where you most hate to be stung. If stung, make no 
sudden motion ; withdraw the sting as quickly as possible, for 
it continues to work in deeper and inject more poison. If 
the bee-keeper is going to open his hive of bees, or handle 
them, in any way that would anger them, he should prepare 
himself with a roll of cotton rags of the size of an ear of corn, 
rolled so tightly as not to blaze when one end is fired. With 
this roll burning approach the hive and blow smoke into it 
until the bees have gotten up the full hum of retreat and sub- 
mission. You may then proceed to handle them. If they 
rally and show signs of fight, give them more smoke. It will 
seem to them that they arc to loso all their stores, and 
to save some, they will gorge themselves with honey, and 
bees filled with anything sweet rarely sting. This is one 
reason why they sting so little when they swarm, as they fill 
themselves before leaving the hive. Feeding bees with water 
well sweetened with sugar, a while before operating, will 
keep them in a good humor. Bees are much less inclined 
to sting while they are collecting honey than at other times. 
A bee hat of wire-cloth or bobbinet is a good protection fer 
the face and neck ; and gum-elastic gloves will protect the 
hands. Drawing the boots over the pants protects the 
ancles and legs.' 
I have little faith in the remedies for bee stings, yet the 
popular ones arc numberless I presume ammonia, or bar s- 
horn, soda, or camphor arc among the best. 
