260 



TEANSFERRISfG. 



It is practicable at any time, except in very cold weather. 

 The more honey and brood there are present, the more care 

 is required. 



HOW TO DO IT. 



When ready to operate, if the weather is cool, warm a 

 couple of empty hives, and choose, if possible, a strong 

 colony with straight combs. Take the hive from the yard, 

 and set one of the empty hives on the stand to catch any 

 bees returning from the field, if you operate when any are 

 flying, and proceed to drive out the bees as directed in 

 the chapter on pruning. After the bees are out of the 

 way, take the hive to a warm room and remove one side. 

 Have ready a wide board, on which are spread smoothly 

 several thicknesses of cloth, on which lay two or three 

 of your small strips ; and having loosened a comb from its 

 fastening, lay it upon them. The yielding surface will pre- 

 vent the bruising of the combs. Now measure the comb 

 with the frame ; if large enough to fill it, mark and trim 

 it oif exactly to fit. If too small, take one of the frames 

 that has a jjartition through it ; it will fit some of them. 

 When the frame is filled, whether with one piece or sever- 

 al, tie enough of the strips on each side to hold the comb 

 in place, and raise the frame to a perpendicular position. 

 I have used twine to wind around the frame and combs, 

 instead of fastening with wood, but do not like it as well. 

 These pieces of wood are also just what is needed to 

 steady the combs in full colonies, when they are to be 

 transported long distances. 



KEEP BROOD TOGETHER. 



When transferring combs containing brood, it will not 

 do to separate them, — scattering it all through the hive — 

 unless in hot weather. In cool weather the bees must 

 keep it warm, which they cannot do unless it is all in one 



