816 FALL MANAGEMENT. 



tains her, and wish that one to be preserved, joii can 

 do so by varying the process a little. Instead of in- 

 verting one hive, set them both on a cloth right side 

 up, and smoke the bees ; the queens are easily found, 

 while they are all paralyzed ; then put the bees all to- 

 gether. The hive should now have a thin cloth tied 

 over the bottom, to prevent the escape of the bees. 

 Before they are fully recovered, they seem rather be- 

 wildered, and some of them get away. Set the hive 

 right end up, and raise it an inch ; the bees drop on 

 the cloth, and fresh air passing under soon revives 

 them. In from twelve to twenty-four hours, they- 

 may be let out. 



Families put together in this way will seldom quar- 

 rel (not more than one in twenty), but remain to- 

 gether, defending themselves against intruders as one 

 swarm. 



I once had a stock nearly destitute of bees, with 

 abundant stores for wintering a large family. I had 

 let it down on the floor-board, and was on the look- 

 out for an attack. The other bees soon discovered 

 this weakness, and commenced carrying off the honey. 

 I had brought home a swarm to reinforce them only 

 the day before, and immediately united them by 

 means of the fumigator. The next morning I let 

 them out, allowing them to issue only at the hole in 

 the side of the hive. It was amusing to witness the 

 apparent consternation of the robbers that were on 

 hand for more plunder ; they had been there only the 

 day before, and had been allowed to enter and depart 

 without even being questioned. But lo! a change 



