20 A Modem Bee-Farm 



thus ensuring that no bees rush out ; after a few minutes this 

 can be removed, and the upper skep tilted from front to back, 

 having first been secured to the other by a skewer, or any- 

 thing that will keep them together without shifting: The 

 operator will sooix prefer to do' without the cloth and keep the 

 skeps parted from the first, when the queen may be captured 

 as she ascends, if desired. It should be so arranged that the 

 back where the bees are to run up shall be the highest point, 

 and that at the ends of the lines of combs, or the bees will not 

 go up readily. Then transfer the combs to the frame hive, 

 and return the bees, as explained in Chapter XI. One is 

 often told to procure a pail or table whereon to place the skeps 

 while driving, but if the operator will only bend his back 

 he will want no such thing and will find the earth a far 

 better •' stand " than any other. 



Bumping. 



After first intimidating the bees, another way to get them 

 out, is to invert the hive and give it one or two sharp 

 "bumps" on the ground,, at the edge of the crown on the side 

 parallel to the combs. If carefully done the combs break, 

 away from the sides and top of the hive much cleaner than 

 they can be taken out by any other way. Brush the bees off 

 into an empty skep with a feather, and transfer the combs as 

 desired. This plan was first introduced by Mr. F. Lyon, and 

 has met with great success. 



Thrdwing. 



This is quite an old plan, and wheTre the combs are fixed, 

 either by cross sticks through them in skeps, or in shallow- 

 frame hives, nothing can exceed its simplicity and rapidity. 

 Place an empty hive on a sheet upon the ground, mouth 

 upwards ; stand over the same with the stocked hive held by 

 the hands at the rim between the legs of the operator ; raise 

 the hive and lower it quickly, then stop the motion with a 



