124 TRANSFERRING BEES. 



sary. The cloth prevents crushing. Cut out a 

 comb from the hive with the bees adhering, and 

 cut off the edges, if required, so it will fit the new 

 frame closely at the top and bottom. No matter if 

 it does not go the whole length of the frame from 

 front to rear, as the bees will finish it.* Have thfe 

 comb occupy the same position, relatively, in the 

 new hive, that it did in the old. When the comb 

 is in place in the frame, secure it by putting the 

 wooden pins through the holes in the frames into 

 the combs, and having fastened it firmly in place 

 by means of the pins, place it in the Controllable 

 Hive in its proper position. 



Thus proceed, till all the frames of the Controlla- 

 ble Hive are filled, or the comb in the old hive is ex- 

 hausted. In transferring, very old, black combs 

 should be discarded, even if you do not have your 

 new hive more than half full. Get all the bees, if 

 possible, in the new hive, and when you set it on 

 the stand, close the lower entrance entirel}', and let 

 the upper one remain only one-half open, for a few 

 days, until the bees get well located in their new 

 l:ome. Be careful not to crush any of the bees, 

 and take special care not to injure the queen. 



As you will probably complete the operation of 

 transferring at about the time that bees will be fly- 

 ing briskly about the other hives, it will be better 

 to put wire cloth over the entrances, to confine the 

 bees you have transferred, and let them remain in 

 the out-building until about an hour before sunset ; 



*But very few hives are large enough for their combs to fill the movable 

 comb frames of the Controllable Hive. 



