108 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



cruel and objectionable practice is, perhaps, the 

 most common of any, being the least troublesome, 

 though not the most economical mode of getting 

 at the honey. 



The third, or driving system, saves the lives of 

 the bees, by turning them out into a well-stored 

 stock-hive, and need not give any great amount 

 of additional trouble. It is thus described in the 

 Naturalists' Library : " In the evening, when all 

 are quiet, turn up the hive which is to be operated 

 upon, fixing it in a chair from which the stuffed 

 bottom has been removed ; place an empty hive 

 above it, wrap a cloth round the point of junction, 

 to prevent the bees from coming out and annoying 

 the operator ; then, with a short stick or stone in 

 each hand, beat round the sides, but gently, for 

 fear of loosening the combs. In five minutes the 

 panic-struck insects will hastily mount into the 

 empty hive, with a loud humming noise, expres- 

 sive of their trepidation. The hives are then 

 separated; that containing the bees is placed on 

 its usual pedestal, and the other, containing the 

 honey, is carried off. The union is next to be 



