76 THE APIAEI; OB, 



getting a store of honey for themselves before working for their 

 master. 



When it is wished to use a super, the crown board or roof of 

 the stock hive must be taken away, the thin adapting or honey 

 board taking its place ; the two long slits at the sides are to give 

 admission to the super. The bees will begin sooner and work 

 faster if the eight bars are each furnished with artificial comb (as 

 described page 71). We have had depriving hives very quickly 

 filled when the bees were thus assisted. Combs that have been left 

 unfilled may be fixed to the bars as before described ; these must be 

 white and clean, as dark comb should not be used for super hives. 

 The combs when filled may be taken out singly, if desired for 

 consumption, substituting an empty bar or comb; or should the 

 bee-keeper desire to see a handsome super, he must wait until "the 

 bees have filled and sealed up all the combs, and then he may 

 proceed to deprive them of it as before described. 



Taking out Trames with Combs. — It is well for a beginner to 

 practise the directions for opening and shutting up hives by using an 

 empty hive, until he becomes familiar with the handling of the frames. 



The first thing to do is to loosen the crown board or lid with a 

 knife, drawing a piece of string underneath it to divide the wax or 

 cement with which the bees make all secure. This string should 

 be drawn through very slowly, so as not to irritate the bees. 

 In hot weather, the crown board may be loosened by a lateral 

 movement ; but sometimes, for want of care, this loosening of the 

 lid disturbs the bees, and as soon as it is removed, a number of 

 them, enraged thereby, pour out and attack the operator. This and 

 all other operations ought be done very carefully and gently; 

 especial care should be taken not to prise the lid upwards, by way 

 of wrenching it off, for the frames and combs are generally secured 

 thereto, and there is a liability of rending the combs with it ; this 

 will greatly irritate the bees, and be otherwise injurious. When a 

 hive of bees is enraged, there is little chance of pacifying them; it 

 is best, under such circumstances to 'give in' at once, and not 

 attempt to perform any operation, but to shut the hive up and beat 

 a retreat, benefiting by the experience so as to do better in a day 

 or so afterwards. There are various devices for intimidating or 

 conciliating the bees, and one of these already spoken of is— 

 smoke. So next time the experimenter makes his attempt let 



