230 THE BEE-KEEPER § MANUAL. 
directions as to the mode of procedure in common 
cases of driving, and we will therefore adopt his 
words. “Towards dusk, when the family will be all 
at home, let the hive be raised gently from its 
floor-board, and supported on wedges about half an 
inch thick. When the bees shall have quietly 
ascended from the floor up into the hive, it may be 
inverted steadily on a small tub or pail. An empty 
hive, of the same diameter, being at hand, should 
be quickly set over the one turned up to receive it 
[the colony]. A lighted pipe may be ready to give a 
puff or two if necessary, but the operation can gene- 
rally be effected without using it. Tie a cloth firmly 
round the junction of the hives so that the bees 
cannot escape. Proceed to drum upon the full hive 
(opposite the sides of the combs, so as not to 
detach them) with the open hands or a couple of 
sticks; the bees will be so alarmed that in a few 
minutes they will have ascended into the hive set 
over them. A hive full of combs, and well peopled, 
always drives better than a weak and partly-filled 
one. The operation should never be attempted 
excepting in warm weather. If the object be to 
furnish another hive with the bees, there is nothing 
to do but to reverse the hive in which they are, 
and place the other upon it, again tying the cloth 
round the junction. A few raps upon the peopled 
hive will cause them to ascend, and early next 
morning they should be placed upon their usual 
stand. Those who still adhere to the common 
cottage hive may, by driving, deprive well-stored 
families of part of their honey. Having previously 
