54 



be procured from the dealers at a reasonable cost, but, if desired, boiled 

 linseed-oil may be substituted, and its action is just as effective as 

 that of the lacquer in obviating rust. Press the hds on tightly, but 

 on no account use solder to secure the caps, as each tin has to he 

 opened at the time of grading. In the past large numbers of tins 

 have reached the grading-stores minus their lids, and this has been 

 more noticeable where the caps have exceeded 3 in. in diameter. A 

 uniform cap of 3 in. would ensure security and prevent to a large 

 extent their becoming loose in transit. Under the regulations the 

 graders have power to reject tins where the hds are ill-fitting. See 

 that the cases are strongly constructed and neatly bound at each end 

 with wire or metal strapping. Good cases are of paramount import- 

 ance, and good well-seasoned timber should be used in their construction. 

 False economy in this direction cannot be too strongly condemned. 

 Brand the cases on one end only, and stamp the net weight of the 

 contents of the tins on each case. In all cases where the weight of the 

 contents does not coincide with the weight stamped on the package a 

 grade certificate inay be refused. 



Transport of Bees. 

 During the winter months bees may be moved with perfect safety 

 to a new location. If the work is left until spring, when the activities 

 of the hive commence, the resultant loss of field-bees will be enormous, 

 if the hives are to be moved short distances only. The colonies are 

 numerically weaker, and there is usually little brood to become injured 

 in transport. When hives are located for any length of time in 

 one position the flying bees take full observation of every landmark, 

 but as in the winter there are shorter periods of sunshine the flight of 

 the bees is necessarily curtailed, and they usually return at a much 

 shorter distance from the hive. In addition, there are often periods 

 of several days together during which they take no flight at all, and 

 in consequence they must renew their acquaintance with their sur- 

 roundings when an opportunity for flight occurs. Therefore if the 

 hives are moved during a spell of bad weather the bees ^^•ill take more 

 readily to their new location when a fine day comes. 



To secure bees for transit over a short distance sufficient ventilation 

 can be provided by tacking a piece of wire gauze over the hive-entrance. 

 It is then only necessary to secure the bottom and roof, and after 

 making sure that there are no holes through which the bees can 

 escape the hive may be carried with perfect safety. 



The successful moving of bees over long distances calls for consider- 

 able preparation. AU heavy combs should be secured, and only 

 sufficient honey left in the hives to prevent the bees from starving 

 during their journey. The most important factor is ventilation, and 

 it is the neglect of this matter which leads, as a rule, to heavy losses 

 when bees are being moved. The constant vibration of any vehicle 

 tends to disturb the cluster, and the excitement caused thereby is 

 sufficient to raise the temperature of the hive considerably, so that 

 the bees are in danger of being suffocated and the brood scalded. 

 These troubles can be avoided by the employment of wire screens. 

 First see that the frames are made as secure as possible by inserting 

 two wedges between the side of the hive and the top of the end 

 frames. This prevents the frames from rocking during transit. The 

 bottom-board should then be secured to the hive-body by means of 

 crate-staples, driving one end of the staple into the hive-body and 

 the other into the bottom-board. Usually six staples are sufficient. 



