22O NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



into submission ; and for this purpose we procure an instru- 

 ment called a smoker, which consists of a miniature bellows, 

 fire box to hold the fuel, and a nozzle through which the 

 smoke issues to terrify the bees by its introduction into their 

 hive. This can be purchased complete for a few shillings, 

 and when filled with pieces of courdroy or carpet it will 

 smoulder without blazing, and thus produce the desired 

 effect. The hive or hives from which the bees are to be 

 driven for the purpose of uniting and transferring, must first 

 of all be given a few puffs of smoke and tapped gently for 

 the space of five minutes ; after which time the hive may be 

 lifted off its floor board, replaced with an empty skep, and 

 carried away about ten perches, inverted in a bucket or small 

 barrel, with an empty hive over it. The two hives are now 

 mouth to mouth, but to make the enclosures more complete 

 and prevent the escape of a single bee, tie a cloth or piece 

 of calico round the junction. Commence tapping the lower 

 or full hive with t\vo sticks ; the bees will be completely 

 confounded, rushing about the combs, eagerly seeking some 

 means of escape, then ascend into the upper or empty hive, 

 making a roaring noise, which aids the operation very much. 

 In about ten minutes the bees will have left their former 

 dwelling and taken possession of the upper hive. 



Having proceeded thus far, we carry the hive full of combs 

 into an outhouse with an open window, in order that the few 

 stragglers may have a means of exit. We now place the 

 bees on their former stand, and proceed in like manner 

 until we have gone over the lots to be saved, united, and 

 transferred. Open driving is another method, but as we 

 want to get over the job quickly, close driving is best. 

 Whenever the bees threaten to get angry during the opera- 

 tion, administer a little more smoke. It will quiet without 

 harming them. 



Mistakes in Bee-keeping. P. C. Dempsey, an 

 experienced Canadian bee-keeper, writes on mistakes in bee- 

 keeping : 



i. It is a mistake to invest very largely in any business 

 that you are not acquainted with. Better to post yourself 

 thoroughly before commencing. 



