56 PROFITABLE BEE-KEEPING 



it should be a 25 per cent solution of Calvert's 

 No. 5. 



The transference of the swarm to the frame 

 hive should be left until evening. The frame 

 hive must be prepared with the full number of 

 frames filled with whole sheets of foundation, and 

 a division board. Cover the frames with quilts, 

 consisting of a 'sheet of strong calico at the bottom 

 with a three-inch circular hole for the feeder, 

 and three good felt wrappers above. Block up 

 the front of the hive about an inch from the 

 floor-board, and make a sloping platform up to 

 the entrance. This platform may consist of a fiat 

 hive roof covered with a tablecloth, and on it 

 the bees should be thrown, as close to the entrance 

 as possible. Jerk them gently from the skep, and 

 when all have entered the hive-front may be 

 lowered. Owing to the heated state of the bees 

 it is best to remove all the quilts except the 

 bottom one for twenty-four hours, after which 

 time they may be replaced. Give food, however, 

 in the form of syrup, and continue to do so until 

 all the combs have been built out and honey is 

 available. 



When replacing the quilts on the second day 

 contract the hive with the division board to the 

 number of frames occupied by the bees. Add 

 additional frames to the cluster when required, 

 until all have been drawn out. Then if honey is 

 abundant a super may be put on over a sheet 

 of excluder zinc. 



