148 REMOVING BEES FROM STRAW HIVES 



CHAPTER XVII. 



ON REMOVING BEES FROM COMMON 

 STRAW-HIVES TO STORIFYING HIVES 

 OR BOXES. 



MANY plans have been suggested for transferring 

 bees from hives to boxes ; but , excepting in the 

 case of a recent swarm, I would not recommend 

 any, but an experienced apiarian, to attempt an 

 immediate transfer. 



In the case of a recent swarm, the method of 

 effecting the objects simple and easy ; for if, when 

 the bees have retired for the night, the hive be 

 placed upon a middle board, with a divider un- 

 derneath it, and the whole be inverted upon a small 

 tub or a peck measure, and an empty box be 

 raised upon the divider, this latter being with- 

 drawn, and every opening besides what is necessary 

 for admitting air being well secured, the bees 

 will all probably have ascended into the box by 

 morning, when with the assistance of the dividers 

 thay may be placed in the bee-house or any where 

 else that the proprietor chooses, just as if they had 

 been originally hived in the box. If the ascent 

 have not taken place in the morning, it may be 

 effected by drumming smartly with two sticks, 

 upon the sides of the hive : in this way, the ascent 



