The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1865]: Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarianNeighbor, Alfred
Science
The apiary; or, bees, bee-hives, and bee culture [1865]: Being a familiar account of the habits of bees, and the most improved methods of management, with full directions, adapted for the cottager, farmer, or scientific apiarian
The Fumigator is useful for several purposes. When a frame hive has to
be disturbed it is requisite to raise the lid and blow a little smoke
into the hive, so as to check the angry passions of the bees. If it be
desirable to stupefy the bees, ignited fungus must be placed in the
box, and the flattened end applied to the entrance of the hive; the
smoke is then blown in--either with bellows or by applying the mouth
of the operator,--taking care to close all openings through which the
smoke can escape. The bees fall down stupefied, generally in about ten
minutes, but the effect varies according to the populousness of the
hive and the quantity of comb in it. The projected operations must now
be performed speedily, as activity will soon be regained. See preceding
directions.
THE BEE DRESS OR PROTECTOR. No. 31.
[Illustration]
All operations connected with the removal or the hiving of bees
should be conducted with calmness and circumspection. Bees, although
the busiest of creatures, have great dislike to fussiness in their
masters, and become irritable at once if the apiarian lets them see
that he is in a hurry. Hence, there is great advantage in having the
face and hands covered whilst at work amongst the bees; for when the
operator knows he cannot possibly be stung, he can then open his hives,
take out the combs, gather in his swarms, or take the honey, with all
the deliberation of a philosopher. Various kinds of bee dresses have
been contrived; one that we keep ready in stock is of very simple
construction. It is made of strong _black net_, in shape like an
inverted bag, large enough to allow of a gentleman's wide-awake or a
lady's hat being worn underneath. The projection of the hat or cap
causes the dress to stand off from the face; and the meshes of the net,
though much too small for a bee to penetrate, are wide enough to allow
of clear vision for the operator. An elastic band secures the dress
round the waist; the sleeves also--made of durable black calico--are
secured at the wrists by a similar method. The hands of the bee-master
may be effectually protected with a pair of India-rubber gloves, which
should be put on before the dress is fastened round the wrists. This
kind of glove is regularly used by photographers, and allows of perfect
ease in manipulation.
Thus a very simple and inexpensive means of protection will enable
even a novice in bee-keeping to make his observations and conduct
his experiments under a sense of perfect security. Still he need not
be careless as to the feelings of his bees; his success and their
comfort will be promoted by his "handling them gently, and as if he
loved them." "Familiarity" between bees and their master "breed" not
"contempt," but affection.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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