276 SELECTING COLONIES FOE WINTEK. 



ant bearing upon this case. If each family should have 

 fifteen pounds of honey, they would consume it all, and 

 probably starve at last — making a loss of thirty pounds. 

 But if the contents of both were in one hive, there would 

 be an abundance, with some to spare in the spring. 



The process of uniting them is simple. Smoke both 

 of the hives, and then turn them over. Choose the one 

 with the straightest combs, or the one nearest full, to re- 

 ceive the contents of the other ; trim off the ends of the 

 combs square across, and it is ready. Remove the sticks 

 from the other, and with your tools, take out the combs 

 with the bees on as before directed, one at a time, and 

 carefully set them on the edges of the other combs. If 

 the shape will admit, let the edges match, if not set them 

 crosswise. Bits of wood or rolls of paper should be put 

 between, to preserve the right distance. When both hives 

 are of one size, the transferred combs will exactly fit, if 

 you are careful to adjust them jDroperly. You will now 

 want to know " what is to prevent these combs from fall- 

 ing out when the hive is turned over? " It is not to be 

 turned over, but is to remain bottom up in some dark 

 place for some time, or until spring. (See Wintering 

 Bees.) The bees, will immediately join the combs togeth- 

 er. The hive being inverted, the honey in these combs 

 will be consumed first, and when the hive is set out in 

 spring, it will be a rare occurrence for any pieces to drop 

 out. Should any combs project beyond the bottom of the 

 hive, they may be trimmed off even, after they are fast- 

 ened, before they are set out. An additional cross- stick 

 may pass under the bottom of the combs, to support them 

 if you desire. You wiU probably never discover any dif- 

 ference in their subsequent prosperity in consequence of 

 the crossing of the combs in the middle. I have had them 

 thus, that were some of my most prosperous colonies. 



As this operation need not be performed until Novem- 



