.. MM- 2X. en
1804.] Account-of the Manner of treating Bees, Sc. 177
light. If they descend on a tree, they are haken oft: the person who performs this operation must not be afraid of them, as they do not commonly Sting unless they are irri- tated: it wil] be Safe, however, to cover the head with a wire mask, and the hands with gloves.
Some bees are so wild that they fly away in attempting to collect them, but they may be caught again in this manner: a Sheet is placed by night on the ground contiguous to the 5warm, and when they alight, the hive is placed over them with the entrance Stopped, then the whole is covered with a zheet, in which they are carried home. But they Should not be placed near the hive whence they had originally de-
arted.
When the time arrives for taking out the honey combs, which is generally in the month ot June, when the flowers begin to decay, it Should be done in the heat of the day, as the greater part of the bees are then abroad, but not during a high wind, or at the commencement of a new or full moon. "'Uhe hiver must have his face and hands detended as above mentioned, and accompanied by a person holding a chaffing- dizh in his hand, with a coal fire, covered with moist peat, to make the greater Smoke: this Smoke being infused among the bees from the top of the cylinder, they fly away, or re- main intoxicated at the bottom, then the hive 1s taken to pieces by drawing out the pins. The combs are cut out, without destroying the bees, except two cells, which are left around the hive, and lest the bees Should feed. on what remains, the ineision 1s covered with pulverized' clay: after tliis, the hive is put together as before.
'Tbe.combs Should not be taken out but when they are full of honey; it is rarely good the first year the bees asgemble. In the months of March and August the wax is taken out which is lodged in the first division of the hive, after which the bees form other combs, and generate a young colony.
The biver Should often visit the ground, and repair any accidents that have happened, If Spakes frequent the places, they should not be killed, Since:hey do not molest the bees, but destroy the toads and lizards which are obnoxious to them.
When the hives are decayed, they are taken asunder and fumigated; then the bees forgake their habitation, and take Shelter in an adjoining hive, previously prepared for that purpose. This Should be performed in the Spring, when the Howers begin to open and afford their Succour. The 5ame method may be used in taking out the honey; but if repeat- edly practised, it will extinguish the colony.
48. Mag. Vol, 11, Z