370 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



two place the double Porter-escape in the hole, so that the bees can 

 leave the cavity but cannot return to it. In a short time these bees will 

 unite with those in the nucleus and become a strong colony. Leave the 

 bee-escape in the hole for about a month or six weeks and until there 

 is a break in the natural honey-flow. Then remoye the escape and suffo- 

 cate the few remaining bees in the cavity. This can be done by using 

 flour of sulphur in the smoker or by pouring in some carbon disulphide. 

 If the disulphide is used it must be kept away from all lights and fire. 

 It is harmless if the vaporized liquid is not breathed, nor ignited by 

 strong heat, but an explosion is very likely to take place if precautions 

 are not observed. After suffocating the bees leave the escape in the hole 

 until all fumes have escaped, then remove the escape from the hole and 

 in a short time the bees in the hive will find the honey and completely 

 rob out the old combs. When the bee-keeper allows the bees to take the 

 honey out he should be sure he has enough supers on the hive for all 

 the honey there is in the cavity. If the cavity is large and a strong col- 

 ony has had possesision of it for a fcAV years there may be a large quan- 

 tity. After the bees have ceased entering the cavity the board should 

 be removed and tlie entrance closed with cement or other material so 

 that bees will not find lodging there in the future. The hive may be left 

 on the platform until fall or it may be removed to the apiary. Move it 

 when the bees are not flying and when there is no honey-flow, or many 

 of the bees may return to their old stand. 



In districts where foul brood is prevalent the bee-keepers should ce- 

 ment all holes in l)uildings or trees where bees are likely to hive them- 

 selves. He should also remove the bees already occupying such places. 



TRANSFERRING DISEASED COLONIES. 



Whenever the bee-keeper has bees suffering from foul brood in box- 

 hives he must modify' his method of transferring. There is only one 

 way in which he can proceed with any degree of success. All the beeS! 

 must be drummed out as by the direct method. A new hive with frames 

 having full sheets of foundation should be prepared and placed on the 

 stand formerly occupied by the box-hive and the drummed bees should 

 be shaken in front upon newspapers w-eighted down at the corners. 

 Great care should be taken that none of the honey from the box-hive 

 is spilled on the ground or more infection may follow. Remove the box- 

 hive and burn; this removes any possibility of the bees gaining access 

 to the germ-laden honey. After all the bees have entered the new hive 

 remove and burn the paper. 



WHEN TO TRANSFER. 



Naturally, the bee-keeper will inquire when is the best time to trans- 

 fer bees. The experienced bee-keeper knows that with proper precautions 

 he can transfer almost at will. The bee-keeper with lesis experience, 

 however, would probably get into trouble unless he transferred his bees 

 at a seasonable time. The best time is at the beginning of a good 



