THE COTTAUE AKD FARM BEE KEEPER. 37 



circumstances, the only way to dislodge them is by the use of some 

 narcotic. As soon as this has been effectually employed, and the bees 

 are collected in a glass or bowl, let them be sprinkled with honey or 

 sugar water ; this done, reverse them on a perforated zinc plate, and 

 set them over the hive to which they are to be joined. The plate may 

 be withdrawn in a few minutes and the junction effected. Perhaps it 

 is useful to blow a few whiffs of the same narcotic used in fumigating 

 these bees in at the entrance of the hive to which they are to be joined, 

 as in the instance already explained. I cannot say I am an advocate 

 for fumigation where it can he avoided, for I have always found it a 

 dirty, tedious, and troublesome process ; but many as strongly advo- 

 cate it — and there are times when bees can be saved in no other 

 way. 



If the old hive is not to be plundered, but reserved for stock to an- 

 other year — should it be more than four years old — it will be advisa- 

 ble to cut away part of the comb, which is now getting black and old. 

 To effect this, let the bees be driven out according to the method just 

 explained. When driven, and taken off the old hive, proceed to cut 

 out the two middle, or blackest-looking combs, *bout three quarters 

 of the way up ; that is, until the cells are reached which contain honey, 

 for this ought by no means to be removed. Should the weight of the 

 hive be great, the lower part of more than two combs may safely be 

 cut away, provided that no brood is sacrificed in so doing. If the 

 combs appear still full of brood, the process of comb excision must be 

 deferred until the young bees are all hatched out ; indeed, the process 

 of comb excision, on this account, should be generally delayed till the 

 end of August or the beginning of September, when the kr.ver cells 

 will be found empty, for the most part, of both honey and brood. 

 After cutting out as much comb as is thought advisable, the bees may 

 be re-driven into their old domicile, where they will soon put things 

 to rights, and, perhaps, make some fresh comb before winter — but if 

 not, the vacuum will do no harm. I have known bees to construct comb 

 under these circumstances after the 24th of September, when they had 

 been so treated. I need only observe, that a hive renewed in this 

 manner by a periodical excision of comb may last in good health and 

 full prosperity for as many years as the straw itself will last. 



The method of dealing with a spoliation swarm is as follows : — The 

 top or super hive should be taken off not later than the first week in 



