PREPARATIONS. 291 



SEASON FOR TRANSFERRING. 



Th<j most suitable season for transferring is in 

 the spring, when pasturage first becomes plenty, say 

 about the time that peach trees come into blow. 

 Hives rich in stores and strong in numbers may be 

 changed one or two weeks earlier with safety, by giv- 

 ing them a large supply of honey. 



In the Sacramento, and other valleys having the 

 same resources, the best time is from the 20th of 

 February to the 20th of July, though it may be per- 

 formed with safety one month later ; but I do not rec- 

 ommend it unless skill and care are exercised. In 

 localities where the pasture fails in June, transferring 

 ought not to be attempted Jater than the 1st of May. 



PREPARATIONS. 



A hive, to receive the transfer, should have the 

 frames provided with the metallic clamps : a box six 

 inches deep, and of a size to fit on the mouth of the 

 hive that the bees are to be driven from, is also nec- 

 essary. (If the box is simply a square, with a mova- 

 ble cover, it is more convenient for dislodging the 

 bees.) 



Tools suited to remove the sides of the old hive, 

 and a table or work bench should be at hand ; also, 

 a wide dish to receive the honey, and a long-bladed 

 knife to cut out the combs ; a roll of cotton cloth for 

 smoking the bees, a wing or quill for brushing, and 

 water for sprinkling them and washing hands, are 

 the preparations required. 



