THE COTTAGE AKD FAliM BEE KEEPFB. 2lT 



a communication through the hole with the combs below. This must 

 be done carefully, so as to destroy as few bees as possible— care being 

 taken also to cut the combs from end to end lengthwise, and not side- 

 ways or across, for fear of disengaging them from the sides, or crush- 

 ing a number of bees between them, and so spoiling the honeycomb. 

 The full glass should now be raised gently, yet quickly, off, and put in 

 the plate that was provided for the purpose, after which the fresh glass 

 must be elevated over the hole in the place of the former, and its 

 coverings restored as before. Should it be thought proper to give no 

 more room additional, of course the straw bung will be placed over 

 the hole, and the milk pan covering restored. 



Let the full glass now be removed either into the cottage or to some 

 shady part of the garden, placed on a table, and covered over with 

 some dark cloth or handkerchief for the space of thirty or forty 

 minutes. By this time, the imprisoned bees will generally be found in 

 the greatest commotion, which is the best augury of success, for the 

 queen mother is known by this to be absent from among them ; it is 

 a sign, also, in general, that . there is no brood in the glass. As to 

 brood, however, it is utterly unlikely that any will be found where 

 the hive itself is a large one ; the queen never breeds in a bell glass 

 except when the dimensions of her proper dwelling are too contracted 

 for her wants. Now, then, must the glass be turned bottom upwards 

 in the plate, it being still partially covered by the cloth. In a very 

 few minutes, every bee will have flown away. Care must be taken 

 not to breathe upon, fumigate, nor tap the glass, for this only diverts 

 the bees' attention, and counteracts the influence of the royal instinct, 

 now all-prevalent. If left alone, they, will hie home with all speed, 

 eager to rejoin their beloved queen mother. "When the operation is 

 performed in the house, the room into which the glass is taken must 

 be darkened in every part, save only at one open space in one of the 

 windows, through which the insects mayfly out unimpeded; more- 

 over, the window should look out directly upon, or not be far from, 

 the apiary, otherwise the bees will be apt to return into the room to 

 the annoyance of the apiator, being at a loss to find their way home. 

 He must also be present most of the time until the glass is empty, for 

 sometimes the bees will return with an accession of force, and rifle 

 every drop of honey they can find. Should any symptom be. apparent 

 of an invasion of this sort before the glass is emptied of its contents, it 



