fNION OF STOCKS. 291 



consume but litlle honey, in proportion to their numbers, 

 and will be in most excellent condition when the Spring 

 opens. It must not, however, be forgotten, that although 

 they eat comparatively little in the Winter, they must be 

 well supplied in the Spring ; as they will then have a very 

 large number of mouths to feed, to say nothing of the 

 thousands of young bees bred in the hive. If any old-fash- 

 ioned bee-keeper wishes, he can thus pursue the old plan, 

 with only this modification ; that he preserves the lives of 

 the bees in the hives which he wishes to take up ; secures 

 his honey without any fumes of sulphur, and saves the 

 empty comb to make it worth nearly ten times as much to 

 himself, as it would be, if melted into wax. Let no humane 

 bee-keeper ever feel that there is the slightest necessity for 

 so managing his bees as to make the comparison of Shake- 

 speare always apposite : 



" "When like the Bee, tolling from every flower 

 The virtuous sweets ; 



Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths, with honey, 

 We bring it to the hive ; and like the bees, 

 Are murdered for our pains." 



While I am an advocate for breaking up all stocks which 

 cannot be wintered advantageously, I never advise that a 

 single bee should be killed. Self interest and humanity, 

 alike forbid the unnecessary sacrifice. 



Teansfekring Bees from the Common Hive to the Mov- 

 able Comb Hive, 



The construction of my hive is such, as to permit me 

 to transfer bees from the common hives, during all the 

 season that the weather is warm enough to permit them to 

 fly ; and yet to be able to guarantee that they will receive 

 no serious damage by the change. 



On the lOih of November, 1852, in the latitude of North- 



