136 



TRAKSFEEEIWG. 



TIME TO TEASrSFEE. 



Experience indicates that there is no better time for 

 transferring than just as apple-trees begin to blossom. 

 The benefits derived from the operation, aa mentioned 

 above, show that a period when there is the least honey 

 and brood in the combs is naturally the most desirable. 

 As the bees are beginning to gather honey, they are less 

 liable to rob, and the combs are more readily repaired and 

 fastened in the frames. It is practicable at any time when 

 honey is being collected. But the greater the quantity of 

 honey and brood present, the more care is required in the 

 process. 



PEELIMIN^AEIES. 



Have the following 



articles in readiness : A transfer- 

 ring board, about the size of the frame, with cleats 3 in. 

 square under each end. Grooves '/, in. wide and '/, in. 



deep, should be 

 made at intervals 

 of about 3 inches 

 across the board. 

 Cushion the sur- 

 face s between 

 these grooves by 

 tackmg on sev- 

 Fiff. 53.-TKANsrEBB™o BOARD. gj-al thlcknesscs 



of cloth, to prevent injury to the brood when the comb 

 is laid upon it (fig. 53). Transferring sticks for holding 

 the combs in place 

 should be '/, in. 

 square and y, in. 

 longer than the 

 depth of the frame. 



-TEANSFERKING STICKS. 



Fig. 54.- 



Pasten two sticks together at one end 

 ■with a piece of fine, annealed wire, long enough to bring 

 them about one inch apart. Attach a piece of wire to 

 the other end of one of these sticks, leaving one end of 



