284 
SUMMER. 
folly to expect all will manage successfully without 
something for defence. 
MEANS OF PROTECTION. 
The face and hands are most exposed ; for the 
latter, thick woollen mittens or gloves are best ; the 
sting is generally left when thrust into a leather 
glove. For the face procure one and a half yards of 
thin muslin or calico, sew the ends together, the upper 
end gathered on a string small enough to prevent it 
slipping over the head when put on. An arm-hole is 
to be cut out on each side ; below is another string to 
gather it close to the body. As I do not expect you 
to work in the dark, we will have a place cut out in 
front, and a piece of coarse lace inserted ; that which 
will just prevent a bee from passing, is best, as it 
gives us a better chance to see. To keep it from fall- 
ing against the face, a wire is bent around and sewed 
fast. Any person that knows how to put on a shirt 
will manage this. When thus equipped, and other 
garments of proper thickness, the most timid ought 
not to hesitate to venture among them, when necessary. 
I cannot avoid cautioning you again to beware ol 
irritating your bees, until this protection is necessary, 
as it is a rather bad state of things. With this on, 
you cannot conveniently use any smoke. To put this 
on and off is considerable trouble, and every time you 
go among them, if you have to resort to this, I fear 
some necessary duties will be neglected. Whenever 
a partial protection will do, I would recommend a 
handkerchief ; it is always at hand, and can be put on 
