Improved Bee Veils

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 87, Issue 2, 15 August 1953, Page 133

Improved Bee Veils

I“\ESPITE the advancement in the breeding of docile strains of bees, the veil is a very essential part of a beekeeper's equipment. The improved types here described by I. W. Forster, Apiary Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Oamaru, are designed to give adequate protection without undue discomfort. '

ONE of the trials of beekeeping is the necessity of being fully clothed and of carrying the weight of a bee veil on one’s head. As the hardest apiary work is usually performed during the hottest weather, the discomfort can be considerable. The fact that bee veil designs are so many and varied indicates the importance that beekeepers attach to the efficiency of this equipment. Cloth Veils Veils made of cotton net are light to wear and convenient to carry. Black net is easier to see through than white net, but if a white veil is desired for the sake of coolness, a panel of black net can easily be inserted to act as a visor. Bees see white very readily, and do not collide with a white veil as they do with a black one. On the other hand a white veil must be kept in very good repair, as even the smallest hole presents a conspicuous black void for which bees will quickly make. Bees find their way into holes

in a black veil only by crawling on to them. One drawback of net veils is that they tend to come into contact with the face or neck and thus expose the wearer to the danger of being stung. Also a veil blowing in the wind is most trying to see through. Wire Gauze Veils Wire gauze veils have the advantage of being indestructible and are sufficiently rigid not to billow in against the face. If painted black, wire gauze gives good visibility. The average wire gauze veil suspended from a hat imposes a fair weight on the wearer’s neck and makes the turning of the head a rather ponderous movement. Shoulder Veils The main feature of a shoulder veil is that the weight is carried on the wearer’s shoulders, and the head is free. Square Veil

The square shoulder veil illustrated at left is designed for minimum weight and allows cloth net to be used to good advantage. The frame is of 12 gauge wire crossbraced at top,. sides, and back with 26 gauge wire. To ensure a rigid structure the wires over-lap _at the joints for 2in. and are soldered together. The sides and back are covered with white net and the front with black net. The top and skirt are of calico. The skirt is shaped at the bottom and sown to the wire yoke with a j-in. hem overlapping to come between the wire and the wearer’s shoulder. This effectively blocks any space that may occur between the wire and the shoulder. The tie strings attached to loops at the lower ends of the back yoke wires are brought forward over the hooks at the lower end of each front yoke wire and then carried back and around the waist. Round Veil The round type of shoulder veil is of much more robust construction. The

frame is of 8 gauge wire,/Soldered at the joints. Owing to the greater rigidity of the wire gauze used for this veil only three uprights are required. The back legs of the yoke wires join the lower end of the rear upright and continue down the middle of the wearer’s back for some 7in. From the junction point the yoke wires run across the shoulders at an angle and about 7in. down the chest near the armpits. It is necessary to spread the front legs of the yoke thus so that they will not foul objects lifted against the front of the chest. The veil has a calico top and skirt. The wire gauze comes down to chest height in the front and to shoulder height at the sides and back. The front panel is painted black to give better vision. .. - The tie strings attached to the centre lower back of the skirt are brought forward under the arms through loops on the front corners and then carried back round the waist. , Both types of shoulder veil will give satisfactory service, but the round, heavy one is recommended for all-round work in commercial apiaries.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PASTURE ON PEAT