20 A Modern Bee-Farm 
frames, then after smoking and inverting the old hive, let 
its crown rest upon the ground; place an empty skep or 
box above, fitting exactly mouth to mouth, and then 
continue to rap upon the sides of the lower hive with the 
hands. or a stout stick; but on no account jar in such a 
rough manner that the combs become broken from their 
attachments, or many of the inmates will be smothered in 
the honey. Soon the bees will be heard roaring on their 
march upwards, being in fear of the trembling combs 
falling about them. In the first instance a cloth may be 
secured around the junction of the two hives, thus 
ensuring that no bees rush out; after a few minutes this 
should be removed, and the upper skep tilted from front 
to back, having first been secured to the other by a 
skewer, or anything that will keep the rims together 
without shifting. The operator will soon prefer to do 
without the cloth and keep the skeps parted from the 
first, when the queen may be captured as she ascends, if 
desired. It should be so arranged that the back where the 
bees are to run up should be the highest point, and that at 
the ends of the lines of combs, or the bees will not go up 
readily. Then transfer the combs to the frame hive if they 
are not irregular, and return the bees, as explained in 
Chapter XIV. One is often told to procure a pail or table 
whereon to place the skeps while driving, but the operator 
will find the earth a far better “stand” than any other. 
Bumping. 
After first intimidating the bees, another way to get 
them out, is to invert the hive and give it one or two 
sharp “bumps” on the ground, at the edge of the crown 
on the side parallel to the combs. If carefully done the 
combs break away from the sides and top of the hive 
much cleaner than they can be taken out by any other 
