98 THE farmer's guide. 



during the day ; and after working-time they make loud noises. 

 The drones may be seen flying about in the heat of the day, 

 and tlie working bees go with a reeling motion and busy hum. 

 When the bees come regularly out of the hives, let no noise, 

 no interruption, incommode them ; but if they fly long, as if 

 they were unsettled, some. tinkling noise, or the loud report of 

 a gun, will make the fugitives repair to the nearest lodging. 

 If there is an empty hive with combs and some honey in it, 

 they will readily go there. If a new hive is used, remember 

 to smooth it well within. Perpendicular sticks should never 

 be employed. Four cross-sticks, at equal distances, will sup- 

 port the combs. It is to be observed, that great haste in for- 

 cing a swarm into the hive, may disperse them. Give them 

 time to settle undisturbed, though keep a steady eye on their 

 motions ; but when they gather into a cluster, lose no time in 

 placing the hive over them. If the hive rests on anything that 

 can be brought to the ground, sptead a clean linen cloth ; lay 

 two sticks on it, two feetasunder ; lay the body on which the 

 swarm have fixed, gently on the sticks, covering it with the 

 hive by a motion the least perceptible, and taking care that 

 the edges of the hive rest upon the sticks. Cover hive and 

 all with a cloth, for the heat of the sun may cause them to 

 rise again. When they have gone into the hive, cover 

 it with its own board, and carry it cautiously to its station. 

 Great care should be taken that the ground around and under 

 the hives should be kept free from weeds and grass. A hard, 

 smooth surface is best, as many a weary bee, on returning home, 

 fails in reaching the alighdng board, and falls to the ground, in 

 which case, should the ground be encumbered with long grass, 

 and weeds, she might become entangled, and thus fall a prey 

 to spiders that infest such places. The best way to kill the 

 grass and weeds, is to saturate them in the spring with boiling- 

 hot brine, which will effectually put a stop to vegetation. This 

 being done, lay a strip of board along in front of the hives, 

 with a rising point for the bees that return home heavily laden, 

 and fall around the hives, which often does occur, and they 

 fail to get upon the wing until they ascend some eminence 

 from which they take a start and regain the hive. 



TO PURIFY HONEY. 



Expose the honey to frost for three weeks, in a place where 

 neither sun nor snow can reach it, and in a vessel of wood, or 

 other substance which is not a good conductor of heat. The 

 honey is not congealed, but becomes clear. 



