BEKSj BIOH-UIVES, AND BEE CULTURE. 67 



centre of the empty hive, then bring the occupied hive directly over, 

 so as to receive the fames of smoke. To keep all close, put a wet 

 cloth round the place wlirre the two hives meet. In a minute or two 

 the bees may be heard dropping heavily into the lower empty hive, 

 where they lie stupefied. After a little while, the old hive may be tap- 

 ped upon to make the bees fall more quickly. On removing the upper 

 hive, the bees from it will be found lying quiet at the bottom of the 

 lower one. Place a sheet on the ground, and spread the bees on it, 

 then with a feather sort them over, in order to pick out the queen-bee. 

 As soon as the queen is found, then pour the rest of the lethargic 

 swarm from off the sheet back into the inverted hive again. 

 The stupefied bees must now be sprinkled freely with a syrup made 

 of honey and water, or sugar and ale boiled together. Some 

 apiarians recommend a few drops of peppermint to be mixed with 

 the syrup, in order to drown the peculiar odour which is special to 

 each hive of bees, — this is more necessary when two hives of bees are 

 fumigated and whilst under the inflaence of smoke are well mixed 

 together. The hive containing the bees with which it is intended 

 to unite the stupefied bees, must now be placed on the top of that 

 containing the latter, just as the hive was from which they have come. 

 A wet cloth must be fastened round the two hives, so as to prevent 

 any of the bees from escaping. The hives in this position must be 

 placed where they are not likely to be knocked down or meddled 

 with. The fresh bees in the upper hive, attracted by the scent of the 

 bees besmeared with honey, go down and commence to lick off the 

 sweets from the sprinkled sleepy ones. The latter gradually revive, 

 when all get mingled together, and ascend in company to the upper 

 hive, where they live as if they had not been separate families. 



The two hives should be left undisturbed for twenty-four hours, 

 then the upper hive may be removed and placed immediately on 

 the spot from whence it was brought. The reason the queen is 

 recommended to be taken is to prevent any fighting. 



The queen should be kept aUve and fed as long as she will 

 live, in case any harm should befall the sovereign of the other 

 community. 



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