184 THE APIARY. 



fully carrying out the following directions any one 

 may successfully perform the feat. The first thing 

 is to get the bees away from the combs : there are 

 two ways of doing this, — one is by fumigation (see page 

 145), .the other by driving (see page 179). Which- 

 ever plan may be resorted to, have the bees confined in 

 the old hive on their stand until you are quite ready to 

 admit them into the bar-and-frame hive. Have in 

 readiness all the necessary appliances. These consist 

 of a large knife for cutting the hive, a good-.sized table 

 on which to lay the brood-combs, a basin of water — for 

 washing off honey which may besmear the hands, — tape 

 or cotton string to fasten the combs in their frames, a 

 pair of honey-cutters for cutting out the combs, jars to 

 hold the honey that runs out, and a feather for brushing 

 off any bees that may remain. It is necessary that the 

 operator should have on his bee-dress and india-rubber 

 gloves. Then begin by slicing off a piece of the hive 

 with a sharp table-knife ; carefully cut out the working 

 combs — cut them large, so that they will squeeze into 

 the frames ; and, to be more secure, wind some of the- 

 tape round to keep them in position until made fast by 

 the bees. After a few days, these fastenings may be- 

 renioved. Care should be taken that the combs occupy, 

 the same position in the frames as in the hive from 

 which they were extracted. Having thus prepared the 

 hive, the bees may be let into it, in the manner Mr. 

 Woodbury recommends for a swarm (see page 159)- 



