TRAVELLING BEES lili.i 



At this stage, the apiarist should provide a piece of 

 wire gauze or safe-zine for each entrance. The perforated 

 zinc or wire should be bent into the form of a right angle 

 and if the pieces are cut 14 inches long by 3 inches wide 

 they will be about right for the 8 frame hives. 

 Two slats of wood (14 inches by ^,'2 inch) will be found 

 very handy for securing the wire cloth to the entrance. 

 The night before shifting, drive two 1 inch nails into each 



Fig. 78. How to Pact Hivo.s for Travel. 



slat, which, together with a piece of wire, should be laid 

 near each colony to be packed. After the bees have 

 stopped flaying for the day, get the smoker in good trim 

 and proceed to pack up. Go to the first hive, puff in a 

 little smoke and quickly slip the strip of wire or zinc into 

 place so that it closes the entrance ; hold it securely while 

 an assistant tacks the wooden slats along the edges. In 

 very hot weather and with extra populous colonies, two 

 wire screens may be necessary, the lower one taking the 

 place of the bottom-board. 



For road travelling, ])ack hives on waggons so that 

 the top-bars of the frames are parallel with the axle; the 

 combs resist the side rocking of a horse vehicle much 

 better in this position. When packing into railwaj^ trucks, 



