PllACTIOAL BBE KEEPING. 



CHAPTER VI. 



Driving or Drumming Bees. 



CLOSE DEIVING — OPEN DEIYINQ HUNTBB'S HI.SGB AND SKEWUES 



DEIVING IN COLD WEATHEE SPEINKLINQ BOTTLE DIFFICULT 



CASES OF DEIVIN& DErVING PEOM BOX HIVES WHY DO BEES 



DEIVE ? THKOWING DEIYING IMPEOPBE AFTEE HOT DAYS. 



Our last chapter has given some aocotmt of natural swarms, and 

 it would appear to some that artificial swarming should now receive atten- 

 tion ; but before we can swarm artificially with hives with fised combs, it 

 is necessary for us to understand the art of drumming or driving bees 

 from their house and home, so as to place them at our disposal. The plan 

 usually followed may be thus described : The skep to be drummed has a 

 puff or two of smoke from tobacco, burning rag, or smouldering wood 

 driven into its mouth, so as to frighten its inhabitants, and cause them to 

 fiU themselves with honey. The hive is lifted from its floorboard and 

 turned bottom upwards upon a tub or pail, so that it has a firm stand- 

 ing ; upon it is placed an empty skep having exactly the same diameter 

 as itself ; a jack towel or bandage of some description is fastened around 

 the edges of the tfro hives in such a way that not a bee can escape. The 

 lower hive, i.e., the one containing combs and bees, is now beaten 

 with sticks or by the hands, so as to jar the whole fabric and terrify the 

 bees, whose composure has already been upset by the smoke blown 

 amongst them. The beating must be continuous, but not violent, or we 

 are likely to break the combs from their attachments, and so mfcrely bury 

 our bees in the ruins of their city. In from one to five minutes they will 

 be found rushing, whilst making a roaring noise by vibrating their wings, 

 into the upper hive, from the roof of which, upon separating the two, they 

 mil be found hanging much like a natural swarm. 



Tlie method so far outlined is called close driving, because the edges 

 of the two hives are brought into contact as perfect as may be, and the 

 escape of even a single bee is prevented. In this particular it will recom- 

 mend itself to the beginner, whose nervous dread of a sting yet weighs 

 with him in his choice of plans, but for expedition, artificial swarming. 



