§ II.] TRANSFERRING SWARMS. 219 



this sheet down at the four corners, to prevent ruts and 

 inequalities, which are great hindrances to the bees going 

 into the hive (Mr. Cheshire's swarming-board, which is 

 simply a large square board to rest on the hive-stand, 

 has its advantages) ; place the frame hive upon the sheet, 

 without its floor-board, having its front raised on blocks 

 or sticks rather more than an inch long — not more, other- 

 wise the bees will cluster, and attach themselves to the 

 lower part of the frames, instead of going up between. 

 These preparations will perhaps occupy ten minutes, by 

 which time the swarm will have become settled and 

 tolerably quiet. Then, with a sharp rap, precipitate the 

 bees out of the straw hive on to the sheet immediately 

 in front of the frame hive ; give the straw hive another 

 knock, so as to dislodge all the bees, and then take it 

 quite away, otherwise they may, if it be left near, per- 

 versely choose to go into that, instead of the one desired. 

 In an hour or so, more or less, the whole swarm will 

 have clustered within the frames. 



In some cases, as when the swarm has to be brought 

 from a distance and procured from a cottager about 

 whose skill in carrying out these directions there may be 

 misgivings, it is best to give instructions that the swarm 

 be brought home after sunset, and then the foregoing 

 directions for inducing the bees to tenant the frame hive 

 may be better carried out. For ourselves, we much pre- 

 fer the evening for the purpose. Not after dusk however 

 • — in fact no operation of the kind ought to be attempted 



