30 



when the hive is closed, the shoulders of the frames in 

 the brood chamber should always be in close contact, 

 those of the front frame being in contact with the 

 hive front; any propolis or dirt which prevents the 

 frame shoulders being in contact should be removed ; spaces 

 left between the frame shoulders permit the escape of heat or 

 possibly of bees, and they also permit of the comb being drawn 

 out beyond the proper limit , which may lead to the destruction of 

 bees, possibly of a queen, when the frames are pressed together. 

 The remaining frames of the hive may now be plaqed in the 

 body-box behind the dummy. Then spread the canvas quilt 

 (26) over the frames, covering them so that no bees can escape. 

 If the quilt is wrinkled and does not lie flat, it should be slightly 

 damped and fl<attened out. Over the quilt place a couple of 

 woollen or other coverings. The lift (22) should now be placed 

 on the body-box in its summer position, that is, resting on the 

 body-box ; in its winter position it is inverted, and slips down 

 outside the body-box ; the roof (23) should then be placed on 

 the hft, with the cone bee-escape (42) to the front. The hive 

 is now ready for the swarm. 



In warm weather in which swarms usually rise, it is best to 

 76 Hiving a Swarm f^^f^r hiving the swarm until the heat of 

 through Hive *^^ ^^^ ^^^ passed, but on a cool day the ^ 

 Entrance ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ hived at any hour. The treat- 



ment of swarms is referred lo later (93). 

 There are two methods of hiving a swarm ; the best and proper 

 method to follow when circumstances permit, is to hive the 

 bees through the hive entrance ; but circumstances, such as 

 coming rain or approaching darkness, may render it desiralble 

 to adopt the speedier method of throwing the swarm into the 

 brood chamber through the frames (80). To hive the swarm 

 through the entrance (Fig. 27) , place the hiving-board (54) in 

 position against the alighting-board (20) ; on it spread out a 

 white sheet, placing stones on the edges of the sheet to prevent 

 the wind from blovnng it about and to keep it in position. Open 

 the sliding doors of the hive to their fullest extent. Now bring 

 the skep or box containing the swarm to the new hive. If the 

 afternoon is hot and close, it is a good plan after uncovering 

 the bees to sprinkle them with cold water to prevent their 

 rising; then catching the swarm-box or skep firmly with both 

 handS, jerk all or part of the bees out, depositing them on the 

 sheet in a continuous stream from about six inches from the 

 hive entrance to the extreme lower end of the hiving-board. 

 This will prevent the bees unduly crowding at the entrance, 

 and will permit of observing the queen's movements. Now 

 turn back the veil so as to facilitate finding the queen ; it is 

 important to discover the queen as quickly as possible, and not 

 to lose sight of her until she is observed entering the hive. If 

 the Ibees do not show an inclination to enter the hive, they may 

 be urged on with a feather ; it will soon be noticed that they 

 will turn almost simultaneously towards the entrance , through 

 which they will move in a continuous stream. If, however, 



