110 PLEASUBABLE BEE-KEEPING. 



the upper edge, previously bevelled, will lean against 

 the front edge of the ahghting board, the bottom 

 resting on the ground. This board is to afford the 

 heavily-laden bees that fall short of the alighting 

 board an easy means of reaching the hive. 



The entrance to the hive, when introducing a 

 swarm, should be as wide as possible, and, in addi- 

 tion to giving the full entrance, it may be raised 

 slightly from the floor-board, and kept in that position 

 by placing wedges at either end. The swarm box 

 must be placed near the hive. First, remove the 

 screws without allowing any bees to escape. Then 

 take hold of the box with a hand on each side, the 

 lid being held down by the thumbs, raise the box, and 

 then set it down sharply. This will have the effect of 

 throwing the bees into a heap on the bottom. Quickly 

 throw off the lid, and, holding the box mouth down- 

 wards, shake a few bees out on to the alighting board 

 as near as possible to the entrance. 



As soon as they commence running in throw down 

 more until all are in the front of the hive. If the 

 queen is seen she should be lifted with a feather to 

 the entrance, to ensure that the swarm will enter, 

 which it will not do if the queen should get lodged 

 beneath the alighting board or remain elsewhere out- 

 side the hive. 



When the bees have become settled inside the hive, 

 the entrance should be lessened during the time that 

 the bees will be busy working the foundation into 

 combs. In a few days the brood-chamber of the 

 " Ivo " will be in a sufficiently forward state for 

 supering operations to be commenced ; but the swarm 



