§ IV.] DRIVING. 227 



some string to keep the cloth in its place ; an empty pail 

 to receive the top of the old hive, if one of the old 

 conical shape, but if the stock of bees is in a square box- 

 hive mth a flat top, a firm stool will be the best ; and a 

 tube fumigator with some fuiigus, which will complete 

 the material of war. The bucket or stool must be placed 

 securely on the ground, about a yard from the place 

 where the full hive stands ; then a few puffs of smoke, 

 blown in amongst the bees, will cause them to retreat up 

 amongst the combs. The bee-master must now turn the 

 hive * upside down very gently, letting it rest in the pail 

 or on the stool ; he then quickly places the empty hive 

 over the full one, and ties the cloth round it, to prevent 

 any escape of the bees. If the cloth be damped it will 

 cling the closer to the hives. The third hive, which 

 should resemble the old one even in colour, is intended 

 to be placed on the stand formerly occupied by 'the 

 stock, so as to retain the few returning bees which had 

 been absent in the fields. Care must be taken that all 

 crevices through which it is possible for the bees to 

 escape from the- united hives should be effectually closed. 

 When the two are fairly united, the operator will proceed 

 by rapping the full hive gently with the hands or a couple 

 of sticks, more particularly on that side where the combs 

 are the most thickly placed — that is, if the hive be^ not 



* Care should be exercised in turning the hive over to keep the 

 combs vertical by turning it in the direction in which they hang, 

 arid not crossways, or they are likely to break from their foundations. 



