190 THE HONEY-BEE. 



only resting upon it for three or four inches. It 

 is supported in this sloping position by skewers or 

 iron wires thrust through both hives where they 

 touch, and with others to prop them well open in 

 front. This arrangement frees the hands of the 

 operator : enables him, in many cases, to watch the 

 going up of the queen an all-important matter for 

 the success of the artificial swarm : and gives him the 

 opportunity of judging when a sufficient number of 

 the stock have been frightened out of their abode 

 to form a satisfactory colony. The terrified insects 

 make no attempt to escape by the wide opening free 

 to them, but rush in a continuous stream up the 

 connected portions of the hives, and form a cluster 

 in the roof of the upper one. They have filled them- 

 selves with honey, and, between repletion and fright, 

 are as inoffensive as so many flies. We have our- 

 selves had the opportunity of displaying to two 

 members of the Royal Family the harmlessness of 

 driven bees, by taking some hundreds with an un- 

 gloved hand, and holding them to the view of Prince 

 Christian and Princess Beatrice. To the Prince's 

 inquiry, " Why do they not sting ? " the reply was, 

 that they became like Englishmen after a hearty 

 meal very good-tempered, an answer which not 

 only amused His Royal Highness, but was correct 

 as an explanation. 



The best time for the operation of driving is near 

 the middle of the day, when many of the workers 

 are abroad in the fields. Should the weather be 

 cold, it is advisable to warm the skep into which 

 the driving is to take place. A further detail of 

 great use in quieting and reconciling the ejected 



