TRANSFERRING. 137 



the wire loose (fig. 54). In this way the sticks are in 

 pairs ready for use. 



A smoker, a long, sharp, thin-bladed knife, a chisel, an 

 axe or hatchet, a small common hand-saw, a small wing, 

 and a dish of water, will complete the outfit. 



PROCESS. 



The operation should be performed in a room with all 

 the windows but one darkened. The hive to which the 

 bees are to be transferred should be placed under this 

 window in such a position that the bees may be readily 

 brushed into it at the close of the operation. 



After smoking the bees slightly, turii the hive bottom 

 up and place an empty box over it the same size as the 

 hive. By tapping the hive gently, most of the bees will 

 leave it and enter the box above. When most of the bees 

 are in the box, place it upon the old stand, raising it a 

 little in front for the passage of the bees, and remove the 

 hive containing the combs to the room selected. Place 

 the hive bottom up on a solid block, or other support, 

 about two feet high. Saw the combs and cross-sticks 

 loose from the side, or sides, you desire to remove. 



If the combs stand parallel with the sides, it will often 

 only be necessary to remove one side, but if they are 

 diagonal two sides will need to be taken off. If the grain 

 of the wood runs up and down, split the sides in several 

 places and take out the pieces separately, but if the grain 

 runs across, pry them ofE with a chisel. During all opera- 

 tions use care not to crush any bees remaining in the hive. 

 Upon a table or bench near by, place the transferring- 

 board. !N"ow, with the knife, remove the outside combs, 

 brush off the bees with a wing and set them one side until 

 you come to one containing brood. Place this upon the 

 board described, so that it will occupy the same position 

 as it did in the hive, or if, as is sometimes the case, it 



