178 THE APIARY. 



attempted in warm summer weather, and when drones 

 are abundant. 



A very great advantage that the Woodbury bar 

 and frame hive affords, is the safety and convenience 

 with which a stock of bees can in it be transported to 

 any part of the kingdom : by a few additional arrange- 

 ments, stocks have even been sent in it to distant coun- 

 tries. In many districts hives are removed to moors, 

 and heaths in autumn, for the purpose of gathering- 

 heather honey. In this operation, the frames are a 

 great support to the combs, very much lessening the 

 risk of a break down and consequent loss. 



From a hive that has been inhabited all the winter, we 

 have not unfrequently lifted out the frames and removed 

 the stock to a clean hive ; and we believe that the change 

 has always been useful The bees find a clean floor- 

 board and a clean hive to breed in, free from insects 

 that may have harboured in crevices about their former 

 abode. When the change has been made, the old hive 

 can be thoroughly cleaned and used in the same way 

 for making the exchange with another stock. The pro- 

 cess for handling will, of course, be the same as before 

 described. We have found that, where this plan has 

 been carried out, the bees seem to progress faster. 

 Perhaps a little stirring up may be useful in arousing 

 them from their winter doze* The time we recommend 

 for doing this is in the beginning of April, but a fine 

 Warm day should be chosen. 



