418 A Modern Bee-Farm 
The value of cottagers’ condemned bees depends 
largely upon them being obtained as early as possible, 
and at a merely nominal cost. Those procured locally 
are of far more value than such as are purchased from 
a distance, and therefore confined for a long time 
on rail. , 
These bees should always be started in hives 
previously dressed with a. powerful antiseptic, and 
supplied with medicated food. 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 
DRIVEN, OR CONDEMNED BEES. 
SiS HERE these can be secured the general rules Jaid 
rare | down for management of ordinary stock will of 
course apply in their case. 
There are, however, a few minor matters that require 
attention, especially by those who have had no practice in 
this undertaking. Where the surrounding cottagers are 
willing to part with their bees instead of killing them, the 
general way is for the bar-framist to have them for his 
trouble, but no more than one shilling should be given for 
each lot, or they may turn out a dear bargain. 
How to Carry the Bees. 
By using lightly-made straw skeps, the bee-keeper can 
carry eight or nine around his shoulder, slung on a broad 
strap. Thus by uniting, after driving, two or three lots 
into one, I have been able to carry home the bees from a 
large number of cottagers’ skeps, over a distance of four or 
five miles where no trap could go. When a conveyance 
can be taken, light well-ventilated boxes may be used to 
greater advantage. 
