130 THE PRACTICAL BEE GUIDK. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

 HIVING: UNITING: AND TRANSFERRING BEES. 



231. Confidence in Protection from Stings — It has already 

 been stated that bees, when swarming, are most peaceable, 

 and that at other times they may be " subdued to settled quiet " 

 so as to be comparatively harmless (167). But, for the reasons 

 mentioned (11)9), the beginner will do well to wear a veil and 

 gloves when preparing to hive a swarm ; for, until he gains 

 the confidence which follows experience, the confidence arising 

 from the feeling of being, for the occasion, protected from 

 stings, will assist him to carry through the work in hands in 

 a business-like way. 



232. Preparing the Hive Some days before a swarm is 



expected, a hive should be prepared to receive it. If the hive 

 has been used before, it should have any necessary repairs, 

 and two coats of good paint. The inside, and the dummies, 

 should be scalded, and washed with a solution of i oz. Calvert's 

 No. 5 Carbolic Acid to 2 oz. water, or 1 teaspoonful Izal to I quart 

 water, and the parts should be set out in the air so that the smell 

 of the carbolic may disappear before the hive may be required, 

 for, any unpleasantness in their new home might cause the bees 

 to forsake it (215). The hive, with eight ornine frames of comb, 

 or of wired foundation, should then be set up in the position which 

 it is to occupy in the apiary, carefully levelled, as previously 

 directed (147), and with the sheet and quilts upon the frames. The 

 sheet, if new, should be soaked in water, and put, while still 

 damp, upon the frames; it will then lie perfectly flat, and will 

 continue to do so when dry. A solution of i oz. Yadil to 3 oz. water 

 may be used instead of either of the above-mentioned disinfectants. 



233. Hiving Swarms Direct — When a swarm issues, no time 

 should be lost in securing it. If a garden syringe is at hand, 

 spray some water over the bees, and when they cluster, give 

 them some more water to cool them, and to cause them to 

 cluster more closely. If they cluster upon a low branch, 

 or shrub, bring the prepared hive as close as possible to 

 the cluster: place a hiving board sloping up to the alighting 

 board of the hive, and raised at the other end so that it may 

 be nearly, but not quite level : cover the hiving board with a 

 white cloth arranged to lie smoothly right up to the hive 

 •ntrance, and kept in position by stones at the corners ; draw 



