756 
SMOKE AND SMOKERS 
thru the fire. This makes a heavy volume 
of smoke—volume enough with the proper 
fuel to subdue the Grossest bees. 
The improved Root smoker on the same 
principle with its new snout is very neat 
and substantial. The old-style nozzles were 
somewhat topheavy, having a tendency to 
tip over or flop open at a most incon¬ 
venient time. The ones here shown are 
not only compact in appearance, but will 
hold their position on top of the stove 
without danger of toppling over, no mat¬ 
ter how roughly used. 
The object of the deflected nozzle on all 
three of the leading hot-blast smokers is to 
prevent fire dropping. In the old-style 
Fig. 1.—Details of the Root smoker—A.—Metal 
projection to aid the fingers in holding bellows; 
B.—-Coiled wire handle; C.—Hook; D.—Lock nuts 
for legs; E.—Stamped metal legs; F.—Flexible 
hinge. 
smokers it was necessary in blowing smoke 
to tip the barrel almost upside down, or at 
such an angle that the fire-embers would 
sometimes fall on the brood-frames and the 
bees. The bent nozzle permits one to use 
the smoker almost right side up, and yet a 
stream of smoke can be poured on the 
combs. 
FUEL FOR SMOKERS. 
It will lie unnecessary to give directions 
for using these smokers, as printed direc¬ 
tions accompany all smokers sent out by 
each manufacturer; yet it may be well to 
allude to the different kinds of fuel that 
have been used. Rotten wood is good, and 
accessible to all, but it burns out too rap¬ 
idly. Some recommend sound hard wood 
for the smoker. Others prefer turning- 
lathe hardwood shavings, or, if these are 
not available, planer shavings. In certain 
localities peat can be obtained very cheap¬ 
ly, and it makes an excellent fuel. Some 
use old rags; others old discarded hive- 
quilts that are covered with propolis. These 
last make a very pungent subduing smoke. 
In some parts of the South, dry pine 
needles are used. 
W. L. Coggshall, one of the most exten¬ 
sive beekeepers in the world, uses a special 
fuel made out of old phosphate sacks rolled 
around a half-inch stick, tied at regular 
intervals, and then chopped into convenient 
lengths with a sharp ax. The rolls should, 
of course, be of the right diameter and 
length to fit inside the smoker used. The 
sacking must not be rolled too tightly nor 
made too snug a fit, or else it will choke the 
draft and put out the smoker. The reader 
is, therefore, recommended to make a few 
experimental rolls before he makes up a 
lot for a season’s use. 
To facilitate lighting with a match, one 
end of the roll is dipped half an inch into 
a solution of saltpeter, and allowed to dry. 
If a little red lead be sprinkled in the solu¬ 
tion it will be very easy to tell which end 
of the roll is for lighting. 
A quantity of old sacking, says Mr. 
Coggshall, will be sufficient for one sea¬ 
son’s use, and the fuel gives a lasting 
smoke without sparks. He further says 
that he can take a cold smoker, and in ten 
seconds have all the smoke he requires, as 
the saltpeter ignites instantly. 
When old sacking cannot be obtained, 
old carpets or old burlap can be used. Even 
new burlap would not be expensive, altho 
Mr. Coggshall says the fabric should be 
partly rotted to give the best results. He 
lays his old phosphate sacks out in the 
weather for about three months and then 
rolls them up. 
GREASY WASTE AS A SMOKER FUEL. 
The authors have been using greasy 
waste in a smoker with great success. It 
requires no treatment with any chemical to 
to make it light easily, and it is almost im¬ 
possible to extinguish it after it is once 
lighted, even tho it be stamped in the mud. 
This is perhaps the very best smoker fuel, 
altho in some places it may be somewhat 
