flunting Bee Trees. 223 
preferred by the experienced. The beginner will find it 
more easy and pleasant to first drum out all the bees before 
he commences to cut out the combs. 
Of course, in transferring from one frame to another, the 
matter is much simplified. In this case, after thoroughly 
smoking the bees, we have but to lift the frames and shake 
or brush the bees into the new hive. Fora brush, achicken 
or turkey wing, a large wing or tail feather from a turkey, 
goose or peacock, or a twig of pine or bunch of asparagus 
twigs serves admirably. Cheap and excellent brushes, 
(Fig. 110) are now for sale by all supply dealers. Now 
cut out the comb in the best form to accommodate the new 
frames, and fasten as already suggested. After the combs 
are all transferred, shake all remaining bees in front of the 
new hive, which has already been placed on the stand pre- 
viously occupied by the old hive. 
Sometimes bees from trees in the forest are transferred 
to hives and the apiary. 
HUNTING BEE TREES. 
Except for recreation, this is seldom profitable. It is 
slow and uncertain work. The tree when found is not 
our own, and though the owner may consent to our cutting 
it, he may dislike to do so. The bees, when found, are 
difficult to get alive; it is even more difficult to get the 
honey in good condition, and when secured, the honey and 
bees are often almost worthless. 
The principle upon which bees are “lined” is this: That 
after filling with honey, a bee always takes a direct course 
—‘“‘a bee line”—to its hive. To hunt the bee-trees we 
need a bottle of sweetened water, a little honey-comb, 
unless the bees are gathering freely from forest flowers, 
and a small bottomless box with a sliding glass cover, and 
a small shelf attached ‘to the middle of one side on the 
inside of the box. A shallow tray or piece of honey-comb 
is to be fastened to this shelf. If the bees are not found 
on flowers, we can attract them by burning a piece of honey- 
comb, If on a flower, set the box over them after turning 
a little of the sweetened water in the comb or tray on the 
shelf. It is easy to get them to sipping thissweet. Then 
