47 
If, however, there are very few bees on the sides of the three 
back sections facing the follower, or if these sections have not been 
drawn out, a second crate should not be given until it has been 
ascertained by a further examination that one is required. To 
place the second crate or subsequent crates in position, proceed 
as follows :—Place the lift on the ground just by the hive, and 
on it place angle-wise, the new crate of sections (Fig. 37a) ; then, 
without lifting the crate which is on the hive, gently twist it 
from side to side to insure that it is free; if it is propolised, a 
knife-blade or turnscrew may be used to free it; then, having 
inserted the stick in the subduing cloth (48), place the stick 
against one side of the crate on the hive, seize the crate with 
both hands, gripping the stick of the cloth with the little finger 
of one hand (Fig. 37), lift the crate, and in removing it draw the 
cloth across the frames and leave it on them, completely covering 
them ; then hold the old crate just over but clear of the cloth, so 
as to drive the bees up into thesections, and then place it correctly 
in position on the top of the new crate, taking care to see 
that it is so placed as to prevent bees escaping between the 
crates (Fig. 37s). The frames should now be carefully examined 
for queen cells, which if found should be removed. Then grip 
the lower crate with both hands (Fig. 378), hold the crates over 
the subduing cloth, and while doing so grip the stick of the cloth 
with the fingers of one hand (Fig. 37c), then with a rapid move- 
ment to one side jerk the cloth off the frames, place the crates 
in position on the body-box (Fig. 37D), and pack them precisely 
as explained above for placing the first crate (110). It is very 
important that the crates should be well covered with packing 
material on all sides as well as on the top; if the crates are not 
well covered all round, the outside sections will probably be in- 
completely capped, the honey in the cells failing to ripen owing 
to want of heat. A good method of packing two or more crates, 
is to wind a long strip of flannel, flannelette, or other suitable 
packing material, round the sides of the crates, and to fasten it 
with twine or pins ; then put on the lift, and complete packing at 
thesidesandtop; themethod often adopted of forcing the packing 
material down between the crates and lift with a narrow lath, 
is not so effective, and unless very carefully done, the operator 
is liable to press the crates out of their proper position and thus 
to leave spaces by which heat and bees may escape. If the 
weather continues favourable, in about ten days later a further 
examination should be made to ascertain if a third crate is 
required. If the back sections of the upper crate are then 
crowded with bees, it may be assumed that a third crate is 
required ; the same procedure should be adopted in placing it 
as that above recommended for placing a second crate. If the 
stock is very strong, and the season is good for gathering honey, 
it may in certain circumstances be advisable to tier up to four or 
five crates in a similar manner, but a second lift will be required 
formore than three crates. This lift, which may be purchased, or 
made locally, should be deep enough to take two extra crates, 
