NEIGHBOUR'S UNICOMB HIVE. 99 



distinguished by the greatfer length of her body, as well 

 as by the attention paid her by the other bees. 



The mode of stocking this hive is as follows : '—Pro- 

 cure a strong swarm, if practicable, and let it be first 

 hived into a common straw hive in the usual way. Take 

 care to make the necessary preparations" previous to 

 the operatioh of stocking : for this purposd, at evening 

 time, place the hive on its side, oil the ground (having' 

 already spread a sheet, or large white cloth, underneath) ; 

 unfasten the side of the hive which is hinged, turn this 

 sash quite back, very gently lift the straw hiv6 containing- 

 the swarm ; then, with a sudden shake, dash as large a 

 portion of the bees into the unicoriib hiVe as can be done 

 in a few seconds. Have ready a feather or, better still 

 {because firmer), a goose-wing'; with this, quickly brush 

 the bees oif the edges of the frames, also from the 

 rabbets against which the gla^s side closes, in order to 

 prevent killing any ; then gerilly spread them, so that 

 the glass, when closed, shall not shut against the con- 

 gregated mass in the middle. When thus ready for 

 closing up, which should be quickly done, fasten the 

 side, and turn the hive right end upwards, with the 

 €ntrance towards those bees that are outside. The 

 bees will not, probably, have all been ejected from 

 the straw hive at the first brush, and will require 

 a few sharp raps on the cloth to clear the hive. 

 The moving mass now congregating without, upon 

 discovering that so large a portion of their companions 



H 2 



