BEE-spoke-data/bees-v0 huggingface dataset:
If a whole colony, on sallying forth, possessed such a ferocious spirit, n" one could live them unless clad in a coat of mail, bee-proof; and not even then, until all the windows of his house were closed, his domestic animals bestowed in some place of safety, and sentinels posted at suitable stations,
to warn all coomers to keep at a safe distance. In short, if the propensity to be exceedingly good-natured after a hearty meal, had not been given to the bee, it could never have been domesticated, and our honey would still be prooured from the elefts of rocks or the hollows of trees. Probably the good nature resulting from a hearty meal is not the only cause of the above fact. There is another physiological facet connected with it (**S5**). When her stomach is empty, a bee can curve her abdomen easily to sting. If her honey-saek is full, the rings of the abdomen are distended, and she finds more difficulty in taking the proper position for stinging..
**381.** A second peculiarity, in the nature of bees, gives an almost unlimited control over them, and may be expressed as follows:
_Bees, when frightened, usually begin to fill themselves with honey from their combs._
If the Apiarist only succeeds in frightening his little subjects, be can make them as peaceable as though they were incapable of stinging. By the use of a little smoke, the largest and most fiery colony may be brought into complete subjection. As soon as the smoke is blown among them, they retreat before it, raising a subdued or terrified note; and, seeming to imagine that their honey is to be taken from them, they eram their honey-bags to their utmost capacity. They act either as if aware that only what they can lodge in this inside poeket is safe, or, as if expecting to be driven away from their stores, they are determined to start with a full supply of provisions for the way. The same result may be obtained by shutting them up in their hive and drumming upon it for a short time, but this latter process is only successful with some races of bees easily frightened, like the black bees (**349**).
**382.** The bellows-smokers, in present use, for smoking bees and controlling them, are as far superior to the old method of blowing smoke on them with the mouth from a piecee of punk or roton wood, or a buneh of rags, as the movable-frame hive is superior to the box hive of old. The writer of this, who kept bees in large numbers in several apiaries before the introduction of the practieal bellows-smoker, has many a time felt dizzy from the fatigue of blowing smoke on the bees.
Bellows-smokers were used in Europe long ago, but they were not practical, as they could not be used with one hand.
Quinby, one of the veterans of progressive Apiculture, invented the first bellows-smoker that had the bellows on the side of the fire-box, that could stand up and draw like a chimney, and that could practicaily be held with one hand. Bingham afterwards greatly improved on this smoker. Since then, others have made different styles, all based on Quinby's or on Bingham's ideas.
The Improved Quinby-Bingham smokers have been initiated all over the world, especially in England and France, and we are sorry to say, some of these limitations have been sold as personal inventions, without any credit being given to the real inventers.
A bee-smoker is indispensable to any _Apiarist, and should be properly filled, when used, with dry wood, lighted at the bottom by a few hot coals. With a good smoker any kind of wood may be used. When the bees are located in an orchard, deal limbs of apple-trees are handiest and will make good smoke. Shavings, leaves, rays, can also be used, if no wood is at hand. By setting the smoker upright, when not held in the hand, \(\kappa\), as to create a grand draft, and refilling it from time to time, a good smoke can be kept up from morning till night, if necessary.
In his book, "Forty Years Among the Bees," Dr. C C Miller advises the use of what he calls "saltpeter-rays" for lighting the smoker. We quote what he says:"Nothing has given me quite so much satisfaction as salt-peter-rags. Like the right kind of rotten wood, the least spark will light a saltpeter-rag so that it will be sure to go, but it is not so slow in its action as the rotten wood and makes a much greater heat, so that chips of sound, hard wood will at once be started into a secure fire. To prepare the salt-letter-rags a crock is kept constantly standing containing a solution of saltpeter. The strength of the solution is not a mattcr of great nieety. A quarter or a half pound of saltpctcr may be used to a gallon of water, and if it evaporates so that the solution becomes stronger, water may be added. A cotton rag dipped in this solution will be ready for use as soon as dried. As a matter of convenience, quite a lot of rags are prepared at a time. They are wrung out of the solution and spread out to dry in the sun."
**3S3.** Some Apiarists of England have tried several liquids, for rubbing on the hands, to paeify the bees. Most of these liquids are hydro-carbonous fluids, or volatile oils of plants, such as wintergreen, turpentine, bergamot, eloves, thyme, etc. Mr. Grimshaw, after divers trials, invented a compound of several of these oils, to which he seems to have added ether and chloroform, if our sense of smell does not mislead us. He calls it _.4\(\underline{\mbox{\it pifuge}}\)_.
Several apiarists praise this drug, while others say that their bees did not mind it, and sting them as usual; and some complain of blisters on their hands after its use. (_British Bee-Journal._)
Mr. Cowan presented us with a vial of Apifuge, but, after trying, we cannot see nueh advantage to be derived from its use.
**3S4.** Mr. Raynor advises the use of a carbolized sheet, to frighten bees:
"Make a solution of 3 oz. carbolie acid in a quart of water, and preserve for use. Mix 1\(\underline{\mbox{\it 1}}\)\(\underline{\mbox{\it 1}}\)\(\underline{\mbox{\it 2}}\) oz. of this solution with 1\(\underline{\mbox{\it 1}}\)\(\underline{\mbox{\it 1}}\)\(\underline{\mbox{\it 2}}\) oz. of glycerine; put the mixture in a quart of water, shake well before using; steep in the mixture a piece of calico, or cheese
**386.** A bee-veil, although objeotionable to some beekeepers, who prefer to handle their bees barefaced, is really a necessity in a large apiary. Tinid persons feel safer in using it, and even the boldest bee-keepers recognize the necessity of wearing one, when colonies become aroused by accident. The best veils are sewed to the outer edge of the rim of a straw-hat; with a rubber at their lower extremity, to fasten around the neck. The veil can be slipped on and off in a twinkling, if necessity requires; when not in use, it is simply folded into the crown of the hat, where it is always at hand.
We keep a number of these veil hats in our bee-house, for the accommodation of visitors, who wish to look through the wonders of the bee-hive, without fear of stings.
Most veils are made removable, with a rubber at each end; the upper one being slipped over the crown of the hat. This veil can be taken off at will, and carried in the pocket.
In his "Success In Bee-Culture," Mr. Heddon says: "A bee-veil should never be any color but black, as all other shades are more or less difficult to see through clearly," and we fully agree with him. White veils are most especially objeotionable. Green is the best color after black.
**387.** The hands may be protected by india-rubber gloves, such as are now in common use. These gloves, while impenetrable to the sting of a bee, do not materially interfere with the operations of the Apiarist. As soon, however, as he acquires confidence and skill, he will much prefer to use nothing but the bee-hat, even at the expense of an occasional sting on his hands.
An English Apiarist advises persons using gloves to cut the tips of the fingers so as to haudle the frames more dexterously, and to wash their fingers with some kind of Apifuge.
Stings on the hands usually cause but little suffering or swelling, while stings on the face are quite painful; and the grotesque appearance which the swelling often gives to the human face, makes it much more desirable to protect the head than the hands.
If the hands are wet with honey, they will seldom be stung.
**3SS.** All woolen clothes are more objectionable to bees than linen or cotton, for wool resembles the hair of animals, being made of it, while linen or cotton resembles the twigs and leaves of plants, being made of vegetable fibre. Butler says:
''They use their stings against such things as have outwardly some offensive excrement, such as hair or feathers, the touch whereof provoketh them to sting. If they alight upon the hair of the head or beard, they will sting if they can reach the skin. When they are angry their aim is most commonly at the face, but the bare hand that is not hairy, they will seldom. sting, unless they be much offended.''--(''Feminine Monarehy,'' 1609.)
**3S9.** In handling bees, it is not always necessary to conpel them to fill themselves with honey. With the quiet Italians (**551** ), a few puffs of smoke, at the entrance, when opening the hive, and occasionally on the eomhs, if they show any disposition to anger, are quite sufficient to keep them down. Some of our best \(\lambda\)piarists often open their lives and handlethe bees without smoke. It takes practice, patience and firmness.
While the timid, if unprotected, are almost sure to be stung, there is something in the fearless movements of a skillful operator, that seems to render a colony submissive to his will.
**390.** Some races, however, like the Cyprian (**559** ), cannot be controlled without a cloud of smoke, but they promptly retreat before the overpowering argument of a good smoker.
**391.** Bees can be handled at all times; but they are quietest in the middle of the day. At such a time, the old bees, which are the crossset in the colony, are out in the field. In cold, cloudy, or stormy weather, they are most irritable, especially if there is a scarcity of honey, as the lurking robbers (**664** ) excite the bees. Old bees that come home _loaded_, are not eross, while those going out \(cmp!!\prime\), are easily angered. During a plentiful honey flow, when the lives are crowded for room,the bees are nearly _all full_ of honey, and the colonies can then be handled without smoke.
By our methods you can superintend a large apiary, performing every operation necessary for pleasure or profit, without as much risk of being stung, as must frequently be incurred in attempting to manage a single hive in the old way.
**392**. Let all your motions about your hives be gentle and slow; never crush or injure the bees; acquaint yourself fully with the prneiples of management detailed in this treatise, and you will find that you have little more reason to dread the sting of a bee, than the horns of a favorite cow, or the heels of your faithful horse.
Cotton, quoting from Butler, who, in these remarks, follows mainly Columbia, says:
**393**.: ''Listen to the words of an old writer:--''If thou wilt have the favor of thy bees, that they sting thee not, thou must avoid snch things as offend them: thou must not be unchaste or unelenly; for impurity and slutiness (themselves being most chaste and neat) they utterly abhor; thou must not come among them smelling of sweat, or having a stinking breath, caused either through eating of leeks, onions, garlic, and the like, or by any other means, the noisomeness whereof is corrected by a cup of beer; thou must not be given to surfeiting or drunkenness; thou must not come puffing or blowing unto them, neither hastily stir among them, nor resolutely defenl thyself when they seem to threaten thee; but softly moving thy hand before thy face, gently put them by; aud lastly, thou must be no stranger unto them. In a word, thou must be chaste, cleanly, sweet, sober, quiet, and familiar; so will they love thee, and know thee from all others. When nothing hath angered them, one may safely walk along by them; but if he stand still before them in the heat of the day, it is a marvel but one or other spyying him, will have a cast at him.''
-- Many persons imagine themselves to be quite safe, if they stand at a considerable distance from the hives; whereas, cross bees delight to attack those whose more distant position makes them a surer mark to their long-sighted vision, than persons who are close to their hives.
"Above all, never blowt on them; they will try to sting directly, if you do.
"If you want to catch any of the bees, make a bold sweep at them with your hand; and if you catch them without pressing them, they will not sting. I have so caught three or four at a time. If you want to do anything to a single bee, catch him 'as if you loved him,' between your finger and thumb, where the tail joins on to the body, and he cannot hurt you."
When gorged with honey, they may be taken up by handfuls, and suffered to run over the face, and may even have their \(\leftrightarrows\)lossy baeks gently smoothed as they rest on our persons; and all the feats of the celebrated Wildman may be safely initiated by experts, who, by securing the queen, can make the bees hang in large festoons from their chin, without ineurring any risk of being taken by the beard.
"Such was the spell, which round a Wildman's arm, Twin'd in dark wreaths the fascinated swarm; Bright o'er his breast the glittering legions led, Or with a living garland bound his head. His dextrous hand, with firm yet hurtless hold, Could seize the ehief, known by her scales of gold, Prune'mid the wondering train her flmy wing, Or o'er her folds the sixteen fetter fling."
**394**.: _The ignorance of most bee-keepers of the almost unlimited control which may be practically acquired over bees, has crer been regarded by the author of this treatise as the greatest obstacle to the speedy introduction of modern methods._ Such ignorance has led to the invention of costly and complicated hives, all the ingenuity and expense lavished upon which, are known, by the better informed, to be as unnecessary as a costly machine for lifting up bread and butter, and gently pushing it into the mouth and down the throat of an active and healthy child.
We have before us a small pamphlet, published in London in 1851, describing the construction of the "Bar and Frame Hive" of W. A. Munn, Esq. The object of this invention is to elevate frames, one at a time, _into a case with glass sides,_ so that they may be examined without risk of annoyance from the bees. Great ingenuity is exhibited by the inventor of this very costly and very complicated hive, who seems to imagine that smoke "must be injurious both to the bees and their brood."
**395.** In opening a hive, little danger may be feared from the bees that are exposed to the light, unless quick motions are made, as they are completely hewildered by their sudden exposure, and removal from the hive.
It is not merely the _sudden_ admission of light, but its introduction from an \(unexpected\)\(quarter\), that \(for\)\(the\)\(time\), disarms the hostility of the bees. They appear, for a few moments, almost as much confounded as a man would be, if, without any warning, the roof and ceiling of his house should suddenly be torn from over his head. Before they recover from their amazement, they are saluted with a puff of smoke, which, by alarming them for the safety of their treasures, induces them to snatch whatever they can. In the working season, the bees near the \(top\) are gorged with honey; and those coming from \(below\) are met in their threatening ascent, by a small amount of harmless smoke, which excites their fears, but leaves no unpleasant smell behind. _No genuine lover of bees ought_ ever to use the sickening fumes of tobacco.
**396.** Heddon says ("Success in Bee-Culture," page 18): "I know of but one instance where the use of smoke can do harm, and that is in smoking the guards of a colony that is in danger of being robbed." (**664**.) To this important statement, we would add, that too much smoke to a colony already subdued, will drive them from their combs, and often cause them to get in the way of the Apiarist.
But the greatest care should be taken to repress by smoke, the _first_ manifestations of anger; for, as bees communicate their sensations to each other with almost magic eelerity, while a whole colony will quickly catch the pleased or subdued notes uttered by a few, it will often be reused to fury by the angry note of a single bee. When once they are thoroughly excited, it will be found very difficult to subdue then, and the unfortunate operator, if inexperienced, will often abandon the attempt in despair.
It cannot be too deeply impressed upon the beginner, that nothing irritates bees more than breathing upon them, or jarring their combs. Every motion should be deliberate, and no attempt whatever made to strike at them. If inclined to be cross, they will often resent even a quick _pointing_ at them with the finger, by darting upon it, and leaving their stings behind.
**397**. The first thing to be done, after having opened a hive and removed the cloth (**352**), is to remove the division-board (**349**) from the inside of the hive\(-\)to give room for handling the frames,\(-\)with the help of a common wood ehiel. Then the frames which have been glued (**236**) fast to the rabets by the bees, must be very gently pried loose; this may be done without any serious jar, and without wounding or enraging a single bee. They may be all loosened for removal in less than a single minute.
If there is no division-board (**349**) in the hive, the Apair-ist should _guently_ push the third frame from either end of the hive, a little nearer to the fourth frame; and then the second as near as he can to the third, to get ample room to lift out the end one, without crushing its comb, or injuring any of the bees. To remove it, he should take hold of its two shoulders which rest upon the rabets, and carefully lift it, so as to crush no bees by letting it touch the sides of the hive, or the next frame. If it is desired to remove any particular frame, room must be gained by moving, in the same way, the adjoining ones on each side. As bees usually build their combs slightly waving, it will be found impossible to remove a frame safely, without making room for it in this way. If the combs are built on foundation (674), however, they will be much easier to remove, as they are then perfectly straight. In handling heavy frames in hot weather, be careful not to ineline them from their _perpendicular_, or the combs will be liable to break from their own weight, and fall out of the frames.
If more combs are to be examined, after lifting out the outside frame, set it carefully on end, near the live, when the second one may be easily moved towards the vacant space, and lifted out. After examination, put it in the place of the one first removed; in the same way, examine the third, and put it in the place of the second, and so proceed until all have been examined. If a division-board is used, it will not be necessary to set any of the frames down outside of the live, as the removal of this board will leave one vacant space in the live.
If the frames, as they are removed, are put into an empty live, cr a comb-bucket, they may be protected from the cold, and from robber-bees.
The inexperienced operator, who sees that the bees have built small pieces of comb, or bridges (**325**), between the outside of the frames and the sides of the live, or slightly fastened together some parts of their combs, may imagine that the frames cannot be removed at all. Such slight attahements, however, offer no practical difficulty to their removal.* The great point to be grained, is to secure a single comb on each frame; and this is effected by the use of the triangular comb-guides, or better, by comb-foundation (**674**).**
Footnote *: If sufficient room for storing surplus honey is not given to a strong colony, in its anxiety to amass as much as possible, it will fill the smallest accessible places. If the bees build comb between the tops of the frames and the under side of the upper story, it can be easily cut off, and used for wax. If this shallow chamber were not used, they would fasten the upper story to the frames so tightly, that it would be very difficult to remove it; and every time it was taken off, they would glue it still faster, so that, at last, It would be well nigh impossible in getting it off, not to start the frames so as to crush the bees between the combs.
If bees were disposed to fly away from their combs, as soon as they are taken out, instead of adhering to then with such remarkable tenacity, it would be far more difficult to manage them; but even if their combs, when removed, are all arranged in a continued line, the bees, and most especially the Italian bees, instead of leaving them, will stoutly defend them against the thieving propensities of other bees.
**398**. In _returning_ the frames, care must be taken not to erush the bees between them and the rabbets on which they rest; they should be put in so _slowly_, that a bee, on feeling the slightest pressure, may have a chance to creep from under them before it is hurt.
The frames should be returned, as far as possible, in the same position, as they were found, with the brood in the forward part of the live, and the honey in the back, for bees always live and breed in _front of their stores,_ to more easily defend their treasures against intruders.
In shutting up the live, the surplus story, if any is there, should be carefully lowered, so that any bees which are in the way may be given a chance to move away, instead of being crushed. A little smoke is always necessary. A beginner will find it to his advantage to practice--using an empty hive--the directions for opening and shutting hives, and lifting out the frames, until confident that he fully understands them. If any bees are where they would be imprisoned by closing the upper cover, it should be propped up a little, until they have blown to the entrance of the hive, or, they may be brushed away gently.
Mismanagement of Bees.
**399**. When a colony of bees is unskillfully dealt with, they will "compass about" their assailant with savage forecity; and woe be to him, if they can creep up his clothes, or find a single unprotected spot on his person.
Not the slightest attempt should be made to act on the offensive; for, if a single one is struck at, others will average the insult; and if resistance is continued, hundreds, and at last, thousands, will join them. The assailed party should quickly retreat to the protection of a building, or, if none is near, should hide in a clump of bushes, and lie perfectly still, with his head covered, until the bees leave him. When no bushes are at hand, they will generally give over the attack, if he lies still on the grass, with his face to the ground. A praetical Apiarist, sheltered with a veil and armed with a well lighted smoker, will not retreat much before the most forecious swarm of bees.
Those who are alarmed if a bee enters the house, or approaches them in the garden or fields, are ignorant of the important fact, that _a bee, at a distance from its hive, never volunteers an attack_. Even if assaulted, they seek only to escape, and never sting, unless they are hurt.
If they were as easily provoked away from home, as when called to defend those sacred precinets, a tithe of the merit, gambols, in wbieh our domestic animals indulge, would speedily bring about them a swarm of infuriated enemies; we should be no longer safe in our quiet rambles among the green fields; and no jeound mower could whet or swing his peaceful sy sythe, unless c'and in a dress impervious to their stings. The bee, instead of being the friend of man, would, like savage, wild hearts, provoke his utmost efforts for its experimentation.
**.100.** I'huber has demonstrated that bees have an exceedingly acute sense of smell and that unpleasant others quickly excite their anger.
Strong perfumes, however pleasant to us, are disagreeable to them; and Aristotle observers, that they will sting those secuted with them. We have known persons ignorant of this fact to be severely treated by bees.