OF MANAOING BEES. 76 



transferred. We have repeatedly transferred them in the 

 most approved manner, from the old box to the Vermont 

 Hive, by means of an apparatus constructed for that pur- 

 pose ; but the operation always resulted in the loss of the 

 colony afterwards, or a swarm which would have come from 

 them. 



When it is necessary to transfer a swarm from one Ver- 

 mont Hive to another of the same kind, insert drawer No. 1 

 into their chamber in the spring, say the first of May. If they 

 fill the drawer, let it remain there ; if they need to be changed 

 to anewhive, they will recede from the lower apartment and 

 make the drawer their winter-quarters, which should remain 

 until warm weather has so far advanced as to afford them 

 bread. Then they may be removed to an empty hive, as 

 directed in the former part of this chapter. Now the 

 drawer contains no bread, and should remain in the old 

 stock until the bees can provide themselves with a sufficient 

 quantity of that article to feed their young bees with ; for 

 bread is not collected early enough and in sufficient quanti- 

 ties to feed their young as much as-nature requires. If the 

 bees fail in filling the drawer, one should be used that is 

 filled by another swarm. Thus the aged and infirm stock is. 

 changed into the full vigor of youth by their own free act, 

 without any compulsion of their owner. 



If bees are transferred from the old box hive, or from 

 any other to the Vermont Hive, e^ept as described in the 

 foregoing remarks, it should be done immediately before, or 

 forthwith after the second swarm has left the hive. Then, 

 both old and young should be colonized together, which is 

 very easily done by moving the old stock, and placing the 

 new one where that stood. Now invert the old hive and 

 rap out the bees, or take out its contents : the bees will 

 return and enter the new hive. This should be done as 



