ESTABLISHING AN APIAEY, AND LIGUKIANIZING. 79 



thin wood ^inoh longer than the frame on eaoh side of it, and pass a 

 small india-rubber ring over the projecting ends ; this will straighten 

 the comb nntil the bees have made it secure. Where much transferring is 

 done, these slats may be kept fastened together in pairs, by a string the 

 same length as the width of the frame. When these are clapped over 

 the comb, fastening the free ends wiU be the work of a few seconds. It 

 will be impossible to prevent the destruction of some larvae, but the 

 beginner need not grow faint hearted. Repairs will be executed in a 

 wondrous manner, while the mortally wounded, and the killed, will be 

 Ciiiokly removed, their juices helping to sustain the labourers in their 

 arduous duties. The motto, " waste not, want not, " seeming to be more 

 uniyersally aeksjowledged by bees than by men. 



The work so far oompletBd, the bees must be introduced according to 

 tfce plans ftlready given (see page 82). The honey set running during 

 ae operation will be gathered up, and will supply immediate needs ; but 

 great demands wiU be made for wax secretion, to fill gaps and make 

 attachments, so that it is usually good economy to feed slowly for a day 

 or two, but of course elreumstanoe liable to much variation must be 

 our guide. 



In forty-eight hours an examination may be made, when if the combs 

 appear firmly fixed, the tapes may be removed ; but excessive haste is the 

 precursor of disaster, as one comb falling, will, like a tumbling skittle, 

 knock down most of the others. Let the beginner, who has concluded 

 that artificial supports are no longer necessary, draw a sharp knife across 

 the tape, severing it upon the top rail of the frame, as it occupies its 

 usual position ; it may then be gently raised, carefully preserving the 

 perpendicular. The tapes, by a touch, can now be detached from each 

 side, without giving the jar to the tender work so likely to lead to 

 discomfiture if the whole operation is carried out by a novice when the 

 frame is out of the hive. If the tapes be not removed, the bees will 

 tease and fret them until they dislodge them literally fibre by fibre. 

 Several years since, we had fastened in a comb By a string, and quite 

 forgotten the circumstance, nntil apparently, a piece of extremely thick 

 chenille was observed waving in a singular manner at the hive door. 

 The chenille as we approached, resolved itself into a dense chain of bees 

 most earnestly flying, while holding on to the string, which they had 

 torn almost to fluff, had separated from their comb, and were endeavour- 

 ing to eject altogether from their domain, success being only delayed by 

 the string locking itself between the hive and the bottom board. 



During the honey harvest, transferring may be performed in the open, 

 but generally, a building is necessary to avoid the annoyance of robbers. 

 ChiUy weather is unfit, because the brood is likely to suffer while repair 

 is carried on tardi'^y. Very hot weather makes the combs so soft, that 

 they sink out of form, the lower cells being flattened by the weight of 



