COTTAGER'S HIVE. 83 



hiving- of bees into a common straw hive can make no 

 mistake or find any difficulty in performing- it. Lest 

 these pages should fall into the hands of persons who 

 are not so acquainted, we will refer them to the direc- 

 tions already given at pages 21 and 72. 



The hive may be smeared inside with a little honey, 

 if at hand ; but this is unimportant, as a clean hive 

 answers well. Some older bee-keepers prefer to give a 

 little dressing, to encourage the bees to like their new 

 home. 



After the swarm has been in the hive two weeks, the 

 straw super hive may be put on, first removing the 

 straw mat, to give the bees access to it. If the hive be a 

 stock, that is, a swarm of the last or previous years, the 

 super may be put on as soon as the weather is fine and 

 warm, in May. But much depends on the wea&er and 

 strength of the hive, as regards Ihe time occupied, by 

 the bees in filling the super; in favourable weather a 

 fortnight suffices. 



If, on looking in at the little window, the bee-master 

 sees that the cells are sealed over, the cap of honey may 

 be removed in the mode already described. Hie cells 

 near the window are the last to be filled, so, when 

 they are sealed, it is safe to conclude that the combs 

 in the unseen parts are also finished. 



Sometimes the queen ascends and deposits her eggs ; 

 if, on turning up the super, brood be visible, replace the 

 cap for a few days, until the young bees quit their cells. 



G 2 



