GETTING THE BEES. —Chapter V. 
and the combs melted up for wax. If the transferring is done during settled 
warm weather, the bees should go ahead with their work with but little inter- 
ruption. 
No matter what method of transferring be used, if the honey flow stops 
before the foundation has been drawn out into combs the bees must be fed 
slowly till this foundation is drawn out; and at the end of twenty-one 
days, when the lower hive is removed, unless there are five or six pounds 
of honey in the upper hive, it will be necessary to feed again. There must 
be a constant supply of food. 
Getting Bees from a Bee-tree. 
Obtaining a colony from a bee-tree is still another way of beginning 
with bees. Many a successful beekeeper has made his start in this way. 
Knowing that a colony of bees in a tree is only a swarm that has selected 
a tree for its home. the beginner will understand that the process of se- 
curing the bees in a tree and transferring them to a hive is very much the 
same as that of transferring from box hives or gums, except when the tree 
is broken open and the combs crushed when the process is more like that of 
hiving a swarm. If possible, cut the tree in the spring (if it be necessary 
at all to cut the tree in order to reach the colony) and before the bees have 
had time to multiply greatly or to have much brood. As soon as the tree 
is down, locate the bees’ entrance to the tree and smoke the bees so that 
they can be handled without fear of stings. Saw into the tree on each side 
of the entrance and split off enough to expose freely the bees and their 
combs. Then place the entrance of the new hive as near as possible to most 
of the bees. Cut out the combs and tie them into the frames as in trans- 
ferring. With a tin dipper dip up as many bees as possible and empty 
them before the hive-entrance. The bees will at once commence running 
into the hive. Now smoke the few bees that are left in the tree and step 
back so as to be out of the way. All of the flying bees, attracted by the 
loud humming of the bees entering the hive, will soon enter the new home. 
At night, when all flying is over, they may be moved to a permanent loca- 
tion. Use the same precaution in moving the hive as has been described in 
moving a full colony in a 
hive. 
If the tree cannot be cut, 
a device known as the bee- 
escape may be fitted over or 
into the opening or entrance 
which will allow the bees to 
pass out, but will prevent 
them from returning. If a 
hive containing comb is ar- 
ranged close to the opening 
on the outside, practically 
all the bees may be secured 
eer ’ © 6g x ia in this way, except the 
Transferring a colony of bees from a cut-down 
bee-tree to a movable-frame hive. It is not difficult. queen. If a comb of brood 
30 
