§ VI T.] QUEEN-REARING. 243 



goose wing should be employed to brush off the more 

 tenacious of the occupants. 



Other modifications consist in either obtaining one 

 swarm out of four or five hives, or else one less than their 

 own number out of the same. For the former (frame 

 hives) two combs may be taken from each and placed in 

 a new hive, which is then set upon the stand of some 

 strong stock. For the latter, a swarm is forced, after or 

 before working hours, from each of these hives, while 

 another swarm, that has been procured from some bee- 

 keeper a mile or two off, and has been kept in a cool 

 place, is now shaken on to a sheet, sprinkled to keep it 

 from taking wing, and softly scooped up with a saucer 

 and divided equally or as required among the hives that 

 have yielded the swarms. The distance that these bees 

 have come will prevent them from returning to their own 

 home. 



§ VII. QUEEN-REARING. 



Perhaps the greatest advantage the movable-frame 

 hive possesses is, that a full knowledge, can be attained 

 of its exact state as regards the queen, the population, 

 and the quantity of food in stock. During weather of 

 a genial temperature the combs may on any fine-day 

 be inspected, and thus, a knowledge being gained of the 

 deficiency existing in a hive, the necessary means may 

 be adopted for supplying the want. Sometimes such an 

 examination will verify the fears of the bee-keeper. 



