cottager and Smallholder 31 



weak in the autumn generally die during the winter. At both 

 periods they are unprofitable, and should be converted into 

 strong colonies by uniting. This must be done in such a way 

 that the bees in the separate hives attain the same scent, so 

 that lighting may be avoided. 



In the case of skeps or box hives, proceed as follows : — 

 Move one or both the hives containing the bees, in the evening 

 of' those days only when they have been flying, not more than 

 one yard per day, until the hives stand side by side. This is 

 necessary, as bees locate position and not the hive ; if moved a 

 greater distance at one operation many will be lost by not 

 being able to find their home. When they have stood side by 

 side for a few days, so that the bees have got well used to the 

 new location, drive both lots successively into an empty skep 

 or box, as already described in "Driving." They will 

 unite peaceably on account of the undue excitement caused 

 by driving, and also because they are full of food. Then 

 treat as a swarm, by running them in the usual way into 

 the hive which is to remain. The queens may be allowed to 

 fight it out as to which remains, or the worst one can be caught 

 and destroyed when driving. 



With a movable oomb hive the same process of moving is fol- 

 lowed. All the combs not covered by bees are removed from 

 each hive ; the worst queen is caught and destroyed ; for safety 

 the remaining one should be caged. (See Queen Introduction.) 

 The bees on both sets of combs are then well dusted with 

 ordinary flour, one set spaced wide apart, and the others lifted 

 and put in between ; the empty hive is taken right away. The 

 flour — which should be used lavishly — imparts the same odour to 

 all, and the interspacing of the combs mixes the bees thoroughly, 

 so that no fighting takes place. Uniting should be carried out 

 in the evening when all the bees are at home. The caged queen 

 must be liberated twenty-four hours after uniting. 



To unite driven bees with an established colony, remove five 

 combs from the latter, shake off the bees and place them in a 

 fresh hive, standing close by, hive the driven bees on 

 to these combs, and allow them to work for a week, when they 

 can be united as described above. 



XI.— MAKING ARTIFICIAL SWARMS. 



This can be accomplished with both skeps or box hives, and 

 movable comb hives. 

 The principles to remember are that bees locate position, 



