262 • THE bee-kbepbr's guidb; 



by the experienced. The beginner will find it more easy and 

 pleasant first to drum out all the bees before he commences to 

 cut out the combs. 



Of course, in transferring from one frame to another, the 

 matter is much simplified. In this case, after thoroughly 

 smoking the bees, we have but to lift the frames and shake or 

 brush the bees into the new hive. For a brush, a chicken or 

 turkey wing, a large wing or tail feather from a turkey, goose 

 or peacock, or a twig of pine or bunch of asparagus twigs 

 serves admirably. Cheap and excellent brushes (Fig. 154) are 

 now for sal^ by all supply-dealers. Now cut out the comb in 

 the bes:t form to accommodate the new frames, and fasten as 

 already suggested. After the combs are all transferred, shake 

 all remaining bees in front of the new hive, which has already 

 been placed on the stand previously occupied by the old hive. 



Sometimes bees from trees in the forest are transferred to 

 hives and the apiary. 



HUNTING BEE-TREES. 



Except for recreation, this is seldom profitable. It is 

 slow and uncertain work. The tree, when found, is not our 

 own, and though the owner may consent to our cutting it, he 

 may dislike to do so. The bees, when found, are difficult to 

 get alive ; it is even more difficult to get the honey in good 

 condition, and, when secured, the honey and bees are often 

 almost worthless. 



The principle upon which bees are " lined " is this : That 

 after filling with honey, a bee always takes a direct course — 

 " a bee-line " — to its hive. To hunt the bee-trees we need a 

 bottle of sweetened water, a little honey-comb, unless the bees 

 are gathering freely from forest flowers, and a small bottom- 

 less box with a sliding glass cover, and a small shelf attached 

 to the middle of one side on the inside of the box. A shallow 

 tray, or piece of honey-comb, is to be fastened to this shelf. 

 If the bees are not found on flowers, we can attract them by 

 burning a piece of honey-comb. If on a flower, set the box 

 over them after turning a little of the sweetened water in the 

 comb or tray on the shelf. It is easy to get them to sipping 

 this sweet. Then slide the glass, and, when they fly, watch 



