§vi.] ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 235 



appliances ready, may now open the hive * (as described 

 at page 270), and proceed to take out the frames, carefully 

 examining both sides of each comb to find the queen : t 

 she is generally in the centre of the hive, so that it is not 

 always needful to take out every one of the frames. As 

 these are examined they may be put into the empty hive, 

 and when the object of the bee-master's search is found 

 he must carefully remove the frame containing her 

 majesty, and may place it temporarily in the empty hive, 

 at one end by itself, or he may make use of the bar- 

 frame holder (Chap. IV. § xi.). Next he must proceed 

 to put the frames back into the old hive, closing up the 

 vacancy caused by the removal of the comb with the 

 queen on it, and leave the empty frame at the end.' 

 Then he may place the frame containing the queen, with 

 the few bees that may be upon it, in the centre of the 

 empty hive ; and, finally, putting all the other empty 

 frames in, and replacing the lid, he will place this hive 

 in the exact position occupied by the old stock. The 

 bees that are on the' wing will go to the old spot, and, 



' ' Bees are apt to take the interference more quietly if the stock 

 is moved a little distance from its accustomed Stand ; in such case,, 

 put an empty hive in its place, to amuse returning bees. These 

 can be shaken out when the hive it is desired they should inhabit ' 

 is restored. If this is kept in a closed bee-house the en- . 

 trance should be shut down until the hive is replaced, when the 

 clustered bees may be at once admitted. 



f Italian queens are more easily detected, being of a brighter 

 colour, and, generally, larger than English queens. 



