TREATMENT OF SWAEMS AND aTOCKS. 63 



and closing it again before they are on the wing in the morning. 

 On the third day the danger of desertion is passed. If the hives to be 

 nnited have not the same sized frames, the bees should be brushed from 

 all on to a sheet or board, allowing them to run in together, sprinkling 

 if there be any disposition to quarrel ; provided always that we have 

 smoked, and, to be safe, scented them also. Bees are very olannish. We 

 overcome them by fright, gorging, scenting and reducing to poverty, so 

 that they have nothing to defend. Swarms or oasts may be easily united, 

 and without any preparation, if one has not come off more than a day or 

 two before the other. If more time has elapsed smoke the older swarm, 

 and well sprinkle the new comers : bees with well filled honey bags are 

 commonly welcomed. In the autumn stocks too weak to winter may be 

 strengthened by condemned bees (see Chap. 9), which, unfortunately, 

 most cottagers are too ill instructed to utilize. The experienced might 

 dispense with some of the precautions here advised, but we are writing 

 tor the learner, to whom " short cuts " would often prove the longest 

 road. 



