and its Economic Management. 21 



sudden jerk just as the empty hive is neared ; repeat as often 

 as necessary and the bees will be all thrown out. Wait a few 

 minutes after smoking them, lift the hive and proceed, when 

 the bees having discontinued feeding at the cells, will come 

 out more readily. This rough and ready process was carried 

 out only with the cross sticks through the hives and combs so 

 that the latter could not fall ; and Mr. Heddon has more 

 recently adopted the same thing with his shallow-fixed frames. 

 In the case of frame hives the bees will be shaken down on 

 the top, or at the entrance, of the lower hive. 



Manipulating Bees in Frame Hives. 



The foregoing operations are seldom necessary with move- 

 able-comb hives, as each frame may be removed at will, and 

 this meets all requirements. When any operation has to be 

 carried out, first lift the material covering the frames, and 

 drive a few puffs of smoke among the bees, replace the " quilt," 

 and after a few seconds' peel the same off witK cSJe, and make 

 the necessary examinations. Remove and replace each comb 

 carefully, taking care not to crush any bees while so doing, 

 and see that your smoker is on hand in good order, in case 

 they may get troublesome. If the combs are to be cleared, 

 shake them from the same back into the hive, or at the 

 entrance by > a motion similar to that of throwing, beginning 

 however with a gentle shake, and then more vigorously, as the 

 bees become frightened. Nothing tends to subdue them so 

 thoroughly, and on no account should a brush or feather be 

 used until the bees have first been so shaken ; as^by brushing 

 them from the combs they are much irritated. 



Carniolan and Cyprian Bees seldonj require to be 

 intimidated. The former can be handled almost anyhow, 

 while with the others gentle treatment is necessary ; and what 

 is remarkable with both these varieties, and also some stocks 

 of Syrian bees, it matters not how long the hive may remain 

 uncovered, they continue perfectly peaceful. With these. 



