PURCHASINa STOCKS AND TUANSPOllTINCi BEES. 339 



It is considerable trouble to prepare the movable comb 

 hive to be turned over, yet for long journeys, it is abso- 

 lutely necessary. Put sticks on each side of each comb, 

 in about t^vo places, to hold it steady, (see directions for 

 transferring combs in Chap, xix,) then lay on the top of 

 the frames, cross-wise, thin strips to hold them in place 

 — and fasten on the honey board with screws. 



Turn the hive over, and cover the bottom with Avire- 

 cloth. With proper care they may be sent by Rail Road 

 one thousand miles. I can devise no convenient way of 

 fastening the combs in hives that have permanent bot- 

 tom-boards, such as Mr. Langstroth and some others 

 use. Some other patent hives, like Mr. Hazen's, cannot 

 be inverted for transportation. Such must of necessity 

 be carried right side up. 



I sometimes transport movable comb hives in this 

 manner for very short distances, but with much fear of 

 breakage. When I send off a colony of Italians, I dare 

 not risk them thus. 



When bees are moved, thus inverted, they will creep 

 upward; in stocks part full, they will often nearly all 

 leave the combs and get upon the covering. 



In a short time after being set up, they will return, 

 except in very cold weather, when a few will sometimes 

 freeze, consequently, they should he put in a warm room 

 for a short time. 



After carrying them a few miles the disposition to sting 

 is generally gone. When bees are confined in moderate 

 weather, they manifest a persevering determination to 

 find their way out, particularly after being moved, and 

 somewhat disturbed. I have known them to bite holes 

 through muslin in three days. The same difficulty is 

 often experienced in attempting to confine them to the 

 hive, by cloth, when in the house in wtater. 



Should any combs become broken, or detached from 



