THE FARMER'S MANUAL. ib)C- 



whethcr it be more advisable to suffocate annually a 

 certain number of hives, or to save their lives by de- 

 priving them of a part of their treasure ? The latter 

 sentiment begins generally to prevail ; but the com- 

 mon hive is a great preventative ; because few have 

 the skill and courage necessary to perform the ope- 

 ration. I have shown how this may be done, by 

 placing one hive upon another, upon the storying 

 plan, by placing one hive by the side of another, by 

 partitions in the same hive, and by my own new hive. 

 I will now show how the Bees may be changed from 

 one hive to another, and thus the honey removed with 

 safety to the operator, and the Bees. Having ascer- 

 tained the weight of the hive, and consequently the 

 quantity of honey-comb to be extracted, begin the ope- 

 ration at evening, by inverting the hive of Bees and 

 placing over it an empty hive of exactly the same 

 circumference; then beat the lower hive gently, and 

 the Bees will ascend into the upper hive with a loud 

 humming noise. When they are still, invert the up- 

 per hive with the Bees on to the shelf, from whence 

 they were taken, and remove the honey hive. When 

 you cut out the comb which you design for use, cut 

 upon one side of the hive, and extend your cutting 

 quite to the top, otherwise the combs left behind, 

 which had been cut, will drip on to the Bees on their 

 return, and drown or injure them, or run on to the 

 shelf, and thus invite other Bees to become robbers, 

 to the ruin of your swarm. The honey thus being 

 extracted, return the hive in the morning to its usual 

 place, in the same way that you took it, by re- 

 versing the hives again, and the Bees will be restor- 

 ed to their own hive, and to their food. This may be 

 done either immediately after the swarming season, 

 when the Bees may have opportunity to fill up the 

 chasm, or in October, but the former is much to be 

 preferred. Mr. Huish now proceeds to notice the ar- 

 guments in favour of the suffocating plan, by M. La 

 Grende at full length, and to refute them, and thus 



