TRANSFERRING BEES TO FRAME-HIVES. 177 



this is one of the most important operations, requiring 

 some exercise of skill and knowledge, I will endeavour 

 to explain the method to be pursued. 



For my own part, knowing the value of the comb 

 foundation, I should never transfer old or crooked combs 

 unless it be for the purpose of saving the brood from 

 destruction. The frames being supplied with the wax 

 sheets, and food given, which may be either syrup or 

 honey, the Bees will soon build out their cells, but if no 

 such foundation be at hand, the old combs may be 

 utilized so long as they are clean and wholesome. 

 Frame hives and the honey-extractor will give every 

 facility for this, and it will be found true economy to 

 furnish all frames with combs whenever possible, and a 

 straw skep full of combs, whose late inhabitants have 

 died or deserted, will furnish for a swarm such a start 

 as will send them far ahead of all competitors not so 

 fortunate. In making use of old combs we are enabled 

 to keep under the production of superfluous Drones, for, 

 if Worker comb be given, Workers will be bred ; and 

 when we wish for Drones, all we have to do is to supply 

 the Queen with Drone cells. 



No old comb should at any time be used which has 

 about it the slightest suspicion of foul-brood — better far 

 melt it down or burn it than introduce this malady 

 into the Apiary. All the whitest of the combs, particu- 

 larly if of Drone construction, should be reserved for 

 furnishing supers with decoys, without which the Bees 

 are often reluctant to work there. For breeding pur- 

 poses, the colour of the comb is of little import, it will 

 last good four or five years. Strips for guide-combs are 

 best made of the old and tough combs, and are as 

 readily accepted by the Bees. The value of one pound 

 of wax is about 2s. 6d., that of twenty pounds of honey, 



