114 TRANSFERRING BEES. 
ready tobe transferred. You will need some one to assist 
you, and it will be necessary for you to put on your arti- 
cles of protection, and keep your smoker in readiness for 
use, as occasionally a swarm is hard to subdue, though 
the great majority of them are perfectly docile after tne 
treatment recommended. But we are to “beard the lion 
in his den,” and to be forewarned is to be forearmed. 
The bees usually manifest their submission by a loud 
humming noise. If after you commence operations (be- 
fore you get the side of the hive off) they show a dispo- 
sition to be cross, replace the bottom board, close the 
entrances, if open, and give the insects a good smoking, 
at the entrances, and by raising the bottom board enough 
to introduce the smoke; give them the smoke freely for 
several minutes. Then again remove the bottom board. 
(These directions apply to the common box hive. If 
hives of a different pattern are operated upon, vary the 
operation to conform to the requirements of the case, 
applying the same principles.) Then with a chisel and 
hammer remove one side of the hive (the side to which 
the bees have attached the least comb,) and with a thin, 
sharp table-knife, cut the edves of the comb from the 
sides of the hive. It is well to have a table or stand 
near by, with a cloth folded in several thicknesses, on 
which to lay the sheets of comb with the bees adhering, 
if necessary. The cloth prevents crushing. Cut out a 
comb from the hive with the bees adhering, and cut off 
the edges, if required, so it will fit the new frame closely 
at the top and bottom. No matter if it does not go the 
