ON BEES AND HONEY. 65 



June and settled on a board placed on stools about one rod in 

 front of the hive ; these were immediately hived again, and 

 went quietly to work. In 1849 three swarms came out, (two 

 from the old hive,) all of which settled on the board placed as 

 above, and were hived without difficulty. This year I have 

 had but four swarms come out, all of which came from the 

 two oldest hives. I have now six well filled hives in prime 

 order, besides which I have had three second swarms, (one 

 hive swarming twice the same season,) that were of compara- 

 tively little value. In swarming time I find if a board is pla- 

 ced on chairs or stools, as above stated, one or two rods in 

 front of the hives, the sw^arms that come out will usually, 

 (though not always,) settle upon it, and may then be easily 

 hived. My hives are of uniform size, about seventeen inches 

 high, and thirteen inches each way at the top, growing a little 

 larger at the bottom. Holes about two inches square are made 

 in the top, and boxes similar to the one before you placed over 

 them. These boxes when filled are removed by running slides 

 under them, and others placed in their stead, thus avoiding the 

 inhuman practice of "murdering the bees with fire and brim- 

 stone." 



My hives stand upon benches, with no covering except 

 boards placed above them to shelter them from the sun. Thus 

 the wind has free access to them, and no protection is given 

 the bee moth or miller. I have this season united two swarms 

 ill one hive, — they were both second swarms, and of course 

 small. The first went into the hive without the box, the hole 

 in the top being covered; the other came out two days later, 

 and went into the box, which in the evening was set in its 

 place upon the hive, — no disturbance was seen among the bees. 

 Of this plan, however, I speak with diffidence, as I have made 

 but one trial. My bees are daily visited in warm weather, and 

 cobwebs, &c., are carefully brushed away. The honey pre- 

 sented for your inspection was made between June 25th and 

 July 15th, of which there are about ten pounds. 



Boxford, Sept. 25, 1850. 



