Cottager and Smallholder 31 
weak in the autumn generally die during the winter. At both 
periods they are unprofitaple, and should be converted intu 
strong stocks by uniting. This must be done in such a way 
that the bees in the separate hives attain the same scent, so 
that fighting may be avoided. 
In the case of skeps or box hives, proceed as follows:— 
Move one or both the hives containing the bees, on those days 
only when they are flying, not more than one yard per 
day, until the hives stand side by side. This is necessary, as 
bees locate position and not the hive; if moved a greater 
distance at one operation many will be lost by not being 
able to find their home. When they have stood side by side 
for a few days, so that the bees have got well used to the 
new location, drive both lots successively into an empty skep 
or box, as already described in ‘‘Driving.”? They will 
unite peaceably on account of the undue excitement caused 
by driving, and also because they are full of food. Then 
treat as a swarm, by running them in the usual way into 
the hive which is to remain. The queens may be allowed to 
fight it out as to which remains, or the worst one can be 
removed when driving. 
With a frame hive the same process of moving is followed. 
All the combs not covered by bees are removed from each 
hive; the worst queen is taken away; for safety the 
remaining one should be caged. (See Queen Introduction.) 
The bees on both sets of combs are then well dusted with 
ordinary flour, one set spaced wide apart, and the others lifted 
and put in between; the empty hive is taken right away. The 
flour—which should be used lavishly—imparts the same odour to 
all, and the intenspacing of the combs mixes the bees thoroughly, 
so that no fighting +akes place. Uniting should be carried outin 
the evening when all the bees are at home. The caged queen 
must be liberated twenty-four hours after uniting. 
To unite driven bees with an established stock, remove five 
combs from the latter, shake off the bees and place them in a 
fresh hive, standing close to the stock, hive the driven bees on 
to these combs, and allow them to work for a week, when they 
can be united as described above. 
XI.—MAKING ARTIFICIAL SWARMS. 
This can be accomplished with both skeps or box hives, and 
frame hives. a 
The principles to remember are that bees locate position, 
