2 A YEAR'S WORK IN AN OUT-APIARY 



put under the cleats to the hive, when the same was carried to the bee- 

 yard (Mr. Clark on one side, Doolittle on the other), and set down by 

 the side of the stand it was to occupy. The crate staples which held the 

 bottom-board to the hive were now pulled out by a prying motion with 



REMOVING THE STAPLES. 



a piece of a wagon-spring, fitted so it would just slip through between the 

 wood of the hive and the top of the staple; then a little more smoke 

 was used to drive the bees back so they would not be in too big haste 

 to come out of the hive when the same was lifted from the bottom- 

 board it had previously occupied, to the one on its own stand. The use 

 of smoke in this way I consider of great advantage; for since so using I 

 have had no mixing of bees on their first flight, no matter about wind, 

 clouds, or how warm the day was; nor whether each hive was set on its 

 old stand or not. I see by the bee-papers that others have much trouble 



USE OF BOPE IN CAKBTING A HIVE. 



with bees mixing when setting out, so that a part of the hives have 

 colonies strong beyond measure, and other hives correspondingly weak, 

 as used to be the case with me before adopting this smoking 

 plan. In the home apiary almost any plan can be adopted; but when 



