126 TRANSFERRING. 
TIME TO TRANSFER. 
Experience indicates that there is no better time for 
transferring than just as apple-trees begin to blossom, 
The benefits derived from the operation, as mentioned 
above, show that a period when there is the least honey 
and brood in the combs is naturally the most desirable. 
‘As the bees are beginning to gather honey, they are less 
liable to rob, and the combs are more readily repaired and 
fastened in the frames. It is practicable at any time when 
honey is being collected. But the greater the quantity of 
honey and brood present, the more care is required in the 
process. 
PRELIMINARIES. 
Have the following articles in readiness: A transfer- 
ring board, about the size of the frame, with cleats 2 in. 
square under each end. Grooves '/, in. wide and */, in. 
deep, should be 
made at intervals 
of about 2 inches 
across the board. 
Cushion the sur- 
faces between 
these grooves by 
= ger tacking on sev- 
Fig. 53.—TRANSFERRING BOARD. eral thicknesses 
of cloth, to prevent injury to the brood when the comb 
is laid upon it (fig. 53), Transferring sticks for holding 
the combs in place ——_____ 
should be '/, in. st 
square and °/, in. 
longer than the 
depth of the frame. Fasten two sticks together at one end 
with a piece of fine, annealed wire, long enough to bring 
them about one inch apart. Attach a piece of wire to 
the other end of one of these sticks, leaving one end of 
ah 
c 
Fig. 54.—TRANSFERRING STICKS. 
