The "Bottle Feeder," as shown in the annexed figure, consists of a round or flat bottle placed in an inverted position over the feed-hole of the stock hive, and resting in a circular block, below which is a piece of perforated zinc. The following directions will show how it is to be employed: Fill the bottle with liquid food; apply the net, affixed by an india-rubber band, over the mouth; place the block over the hole of the stock hive, and invert the bottle, the neck resting within the hole in the block: the bees will put their tongues through the perforations, and imbibe the food, thus causing the bottle to act on the principle of a fountain. The bottle being glass, it is easy to see when the food is consumed. The piece of perforated zinc is for the purpose of preventing the bees from clinging to the net, or escaping from the hive when the bottle is taken away for the purpose of refilling.

Specially prepared pieces of vulcanite plate, pierced with holes in such manner as to give complete regulation to the supply of food, are much recommended by some apiarians. No net is then required, but as the plate is to be a fixture on the crown-board, the bottle should be inverted over a small shovel or some thin metal plate, which may then be withdrawn, leaving it standing upon the vulcanite. Occasional examination of the plate is however requisite, as the bees will sometimes stop up the holes with their propolis. We strongly recommend closely covering up this feeder with one of the middle-sized bell glasses, should the regular hive cover not be sufficiently tight. When bees are not kept in a bee-house this is particularly needful.

The "Can Feeder" is our next form of an apparatus for this purpose. Much has been said about stimulating feeding—that is, administering food in such a way that there shall always be liquid sweets within the reach of the bees, and that they shall continuously be able to imbibe a little. In order to meet this requirement we have constructed a new feeder, which consists of a tin bottle or can, six inches wide by six high, with five small holes at the bottom, and closed by a sliding valve and a screw top. The can is filled from the top, with the valve closed, and when the screw top is made firm this valve is drawn back by moving the pin in front. The can is placed over the feeding-hole at the top of the stock hive, and the bees have access to it by small holes. This can is on the principle of a fountain: the screw top rendering it air-tight, the liquid only escapes as drawn down by the probosces of the bees. A glass side is let in to show when the feeder is empty. It need not be removed for refilling. The capacity of the vessel is over a quart. Its difference in form from the above renders it less liable to attack from robber bees.

Our "Round Feeder" is made of zinc or earthenware, eight inches across and three deep. The projection outside is a receptacle for pouring in the food. The bees gain access to the feeder through a round hole, which is placed either at the centre or nearer one side, whichever may best suit the openings on the top of the stock hive; it is in fact a tube which fits over the feed-hole in the crown-board, thus allowing the bees to rise through it above the surface of the liquid. A circular piece of glass, cut so as to fit into a groove, covers the feeder all over and prevents the bees escaping, whilst it retains the warmth within the hive, and affords opportunity for inspecting the bees when feeding. The feeders were originally made only of zinc; but some bee-keepers advised the use of earthenware, and a few have been thus made to meet the wishes of those who give the preference to that material.

When the bees are fed from above in this manner, the feeder is kept at a warm temperature by the heat of the hive. In common hives cottagers feed the bees by pushing under the hive thin slips of wood scooped out, into which the food is poured. This plan of feeding can only be had recourse to at night, and the pieces of wood must be removed in the morning. By feeding at the top of the stock hive any interruption of the bees is avoided. For further instructions on this head, see the directions given for using the bottle feeder. Round feeders are of course entirely safe from robber attacks, being protected by the regular hive cover.

A variation upon this is "The New Round Feeder," which obtained a prize at the 1875 Crystal Palace Bee Show. It is made of wood, and holds more than two pounds of liquid food, which must be poured into the outer trough. The bees ascend through the centre as in the last case, and passing over the innermost ridge, which is rounded, they reach the inner trough, at which they imbibe the food without risk of drowning, as the sides are too contracted. A piece of window glass covers the top. The feeder is nearly ten inches in diameter.

§ XXI. FUMIGATORS.

The "Box Fumigator" is a tin case, somewhat like a pepper-box upon a foot. It is a simple adaptation of the fumigating apparatus described by Mr. Nutt, and is used in the following manner: Have a straw hive or other vessel ready that will match in circumference the hive intended to be fumigated. If the empty hive have a conical top it will not remain crown downwards without a rest; in this case it will be convenient to invert it on a pail. Having ascertained that the hive to be operated upon and the empty one in its reversed position nearly match in size, take half a packet of the prepared fungus, fire it well, and place it in the box or fumigator; place this in the centre of the empty hive, then bring the occupied hive directly over, so as to receive the fumes of smoke. To keep all close, put a wet cloth round the junctures of the two hives. After a minute or two the bees may be heard dropping heavily into the lower empty hive, where they lie stupefied. After a little while the old hive may be gently tapped upon to make them fall more quickly. On removing the upper hive the bees from it will be found lying quiet at the bottom of the lower one, when the intended operation—of uniting different colonies, searching for the queen, or whatever else it may be—must be promptly performed.

The "Tube Fumigator," which will be found to possess many advantages over the above, 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 it 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 operation must now be performed speedily, as activity will soon be regained. See preceding directions.

Another and quite a different means of subjugation has recently been introduced in the form of carbolic acid. The odour of this drug is so abominated by bees that the most refractory hive will be immediately subdued by sprinkling a few drops of it on the tops of the frames. But a feeling of humanity should suffice to prevent the frequent resort to so harsh a measure. We have in other places (Chap. V. § ii. and VI. § viii.) made allusion to the applications of the same fluid to the operation of transferring swarms and to the repelling of robber bees.

§ XXII. BEE DRESS OR PROTECTOR.

All operations connected with the removal or the hiving of bees should be conducted with calmness and circumspection. Bees, although the busiest of creatures, entertain a great dislike to fussiness in their masters, and become irritable at once if the apiarian allows them to 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 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 a very simple construction. It is made of strong black net, which is manufactured for us specially for this purpose, and in shape is like an inverted bag, large enough to allow of a gentleman's wideawake 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 greater ease in manipulation than any other description. Some persons also tie strings round the ankles of their trousers, or use elastic bands for the same purpose. Those who wear Wellington boots will be able to tuck the trousers within them.

The annexed figure represents a cheaper form of bee veil which we have more recently introduced. It is provided with an elastic band which fits round the hat, the lower portion being folded under the coat. There is however no protection to the arms. It is made of the same specially constructed material as the preceding—a strong black net, with large meshes.

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. There are, of course, those who scorn all such artificial modes of protection, and having inured themselves to stinging take it as a thing of course, only to be restrained within some manner of limit by means of the persistent smoking of cigars or pipes (non-smokers such as Dzierzon use a sort of mouth-fumigator). But it does not follow that none but these stoics are to be permitted to manipulate with bees, otherwise the number of beginners would be likely to be but few. And even he who is protected 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 breeds not "contempt," but affection.[24] See further under "Stings" (Chap. VI. § vi.).