INCREASING AND UNITING 83 



uniting. This operation becomes an obligation at 

 times, as in the case of weak stocks which are 

 unable to winter, or with nuclei at the close of 

 queen-rearing. It is also necessary with moderate 

 colonies just before the honey flow, so that they 

 may be placed in a position to take advantage 

 of it. 



When bees are united care must be taken to 

 prevent fighting, and if precautions are not taken 

 the weaker of the two parties will be killed. The 

 best plan with weak colonies is to gradually move 

 them towards each other until they stand side by 

 side. Remove all empty combs until each colony 

 occupies the same number of frames as nearly 

 as possible. Take away the worst of the two 

 queens, and cage the other upon a comb with a 

 pipe-cover cage. Now dust the bees thoroughly 

 with flour in the hive containing the queen, and 

 space the combs wide apart to admit of the others 

 being placed alternately with them. Then dust 

 the queenless bees and place them in the spaces 

 reserved for their reception. Take away the empty 

 hive, cover up the united stock, and liberate the 

 queen in twenty-four hours. 



Syrup scented with peppermint may be used 

 instead of flour if preferred. Never attempt to 

 unite " driven " bees by running them into the 

 entrance of an established colony, or they will be 

 killed. If it is necessary, to use these bees for 

 strengthening purposes), hive them first upon 

 combs, and then proceed upon the lines indicated. 



