The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-05

New York Ledger.
Bees should live. as an o. experienced epicul-
turist once remarked, with the family"
That is, their home should be in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the d yelling. If q hive
IL kept on the path to the we'll or to the
barn where peoplo ere passing o score OF
times q day. and where there 10 q continual
hun Of voices and the clatter of ntenslls.
the beos soon become familiar with all OF
these noises and with the presence of man,
and DO not resent any ordinary handling.
But first of all things. 1t is we'll to put
away the whimsical notion that one must
not wear gloves or bee vail In caring for
them. else one will never succeed In the
apiary. There are many persons who are
seriously poisoned by stings. and IL 10 safe
to assert that there Is no one who Is not to
some extent annoyed by them. The feel
Ing of confidence with which one goes to
work when securely housed under q bee
vail. is something not to be overlooked
even by experts. With the beginner 1t is
an Item OF the greatest Importance. and
upon IL depends to a great extent the suo-
cess of many an amateur. There Is
NJ use in talking, there il q certain
with which one undertakes for the first
time to handle u colony OF bees. A plain.
sim pie hat of straw braid. with moderate
ly wide brim, not too wide. as the wind has
too much sweep with very wide ones. and
q we'll arranged vail, are indispensable. In
the purchase of the latter article there
must be a iudicious and economical eX-
penditure. Never for q moment imagine
that O mosquito netting or any bit OF coarse
lace will answer the purpose. for such q
fabric confuses tho eye and frequently
renders it impossible TO distinguish nee
essary objects. The best material is o
medium quality of black Brussels net. as
white Is dazzling and uncertain and should
never DO worn. The net should be gath
cred with q strong silk thread and attached
to the ell &c of the hat brim. When finished
IL should foil almost to the waist. which
will give 1t sufficient length to tuck inside
Of o jacket, which Is also necessary. An
ordinary dress is not thick enough 10 pro-
tect she arms from stings. The jacket
sleeves should be long and close-fitting ct
the wrist, and if it has q rolling collar SO
much the better. Much in said about
gloves for bee keepers, and various recon-
~mendations ore heard for these arsicies:
There are experienced persons who lind
that two pairs of kid gloves are the Lest
possible protection. The ordinary sting
cannot penetrate two thicknesses OF
ordinary grade kid; and. what is q most ian
pOrtant fact. IL shOuld always be h1ished
kid. Undressed kiG is very offensive to
beee. and an amateur. who once
to wear q pair of these gloves. received
suoh marked evidence of their disapDroval
of this sort of kid that the experiment was
never repeated.
One of the most comfortable arrange
ment is a laced glove of medium grade
leather, such as Is known as piQue gloves.
Over these q pair of close wristed gloves OF
SIX or eight-button length will be found
most desirable. The jacket sleeves should
be folded close around the wrists and tied
with @ wide fiat tape. This 10 much better
than q Irvine string. as 1t keeps In place
when required. which Is q matter of no
small Importance, especially in cases of
emergency. With hands and head we'll
protected. one may work for hours
among bees with perfect confidence
and FREDERICKSBURG interest. 1t Is al
ways best to watch some expert 20
through the hives at first. IL will
pay TO employ some one. even at q fair cost.
to give the first handling. Then continual
practice and q careful study Of the best bee
literature will enable the student TO get on
very well. To find and be able TO reco2-
nize the queen. TO become familiar with
the manipulation of the frames aud Sec
tion-boxes are highly important, ana this
Is best done by watching some ono who
thoroughly understands &c.
There is no danger of stings If proper
care Is taken. and the comfort and coa-
idence acquired by the feeling that the
sharp arrows cannot penetrate the armor
70 far to make the handling Of bees . sue
cess and . pleasure.