TBANSPORTING BEES. 869 



the hive. On the next comb there were a few hdes; 

 ■with a quill these were brushed down into the hive ; 

 this piece was then removed, and the bees on the 

 other side of it were brushed down also. In this way 

 all others were removed, and left the hive just full. 

 The other full hive, after it was sawed on each side, 

 a small wire was drawn through, parallel with the 

 sheets, and severed all the combs at once ; each piece 

 was taken out, and the bees that were clustered on 

 them brushed back ; removing the loose part of the 

 hive, was the last thing to be done. This last method 

 ■was preferred to the other by my employer ; yet it was 

 all performed to his satisfaction, no sting or other diffi- 

 culty about it, except the trouble of warming fingers 

 rather frequently. Tobacco smoke would have kept 

 them quiet during the operation, nearly as well. If 

 preferred, a hive may stand right ^de up while sawing 

 it. 



MODERATE WEATHER BEST TO REMOVE BEES. 



In transporting your bees, avoid if possible the two 

 extremes of very cold, or very warm weather. In the 

 latter the combs are so nearly melted, that the weight 

 of the honey wiU, bend them, bursting the cells, spilling 

 the honey, and besmearing the bees.' In very cold 

 ■weather, the combs are brittle, and easily detached 

 from the sides of the hive. "When necessitated to 

 move them in very cold, weather, they should be put 

 up an hour or so before starting. The, agitation of 

 the bees after being disturbed will create considerable 

 16* 



