§ v.] UNITING COLONIES. 229 



through the ruin of the lower hive in such manner that 

 they shall act as props to keep the upper in a fixed 

 position. Mr. Hunter has, however, devised an improve- 

 ment upon this, consisting in a wire hinge to connect 

 the two hives, and mre rods to prop them open. The 

 operator thus has both his hands at liberty for other 

 parts of the work. 



If the taking of the honey be, the object of the bee- 

 master, then " driving " is manifestly a' better plan than 

 resorting to the fumes of sulphur for the purpose ; for 

 the bees from whom the store is taken can be joined to 

 stocks that are weak in numbers, with considerable ad- 

 vantage to the future prosperity of the apiary (see next 

 section). 



§ V. UNITING COLONIES. 



A weak colony may frequently with advantage be added 

 to another, or three may be made into two. And not 

 only may this be done with new swarms, but in autumn, 

 when there is no brood in the combs, it may be carried 

 out also with stocks, the combs that are extracted being 

 taken care of for use when required. After working hours 

 is the best time for this operation. It is not, however, 

 altogether a simple one, as strange bees will not intermix 

 unlesg measures are taken to overcome their natural 

 hostility to each other. Whatever be the number of 

 hives in an apiary, the bees of each know the smell of 

 their own companions. A single bee that enters the 



