320 Thb beb keeper's guide ; 



They fasten themselves. lu spring^, wire-gauze over the 

 entrance usually affords enough ventilation. If the colony is 

 very large, and the weather very warm, the entire top of the 

 hive should be open and covered with gauze, or the bees may 

 smother. The entrance ought also to be covered with gauze. 

 Dr. C. C. Miller, in his valuable book, "Forty Years Among 

 the Bees," offers a good suggestion. It is to double a narrow 

 piece of wire-gauze, a little longer than the entrance to the 

 hive, and tack the cut edges to one side of a similar shaped 

 piece of soft wood, so that it will project one-half inch below. 

 By screwing or tacking this strip just above the entrance of a 

 hive, we quickly shut the bees in. Several of these may be 

 made in advance. I find them very convenient. If combs are 

 built from wired foundation they will not break down, even if 

 new. Bees thus shut up should never be left where the sun 

 can shine on them. I believe that comb partly filled with 

 water would be grateful to the bees in case of a long journey 

 in hot weather. In the cars the frames should extend length- 

 wise of the cars. In moving in a wagon, springs or a good 

 bed of straw should be used, and the frames should extend 

 crosswise of the wagon. I would never advise moving bees in 

 winter in regions of cold winters, though it has often been 

 done with entire safety. I should wish the bees to have a 

 flight very soon after such disturbance. Of course this does 

 not apply to such localities as California. 



