78 
experience in packing bees for transit at such times, as owing to 
the special conditions which then prevail, disaster is likely to 
ensue if skill and sound judgment is not exercised in packing. 
If it is necessary to move a hive for such a distance that it 
cannot conveniently be moved slowly, two 
5 to four feet per day as above described 
183. MONDE Stocks (182) the meee may be made in one opera- 
DP sdiecthag are tion, provided that it takes place in the 
* winter or before the bees have begun to 
gather pollen; but if, as will often be the 
case, the move must be made during the remaining period of 
the year, when the bees are much afield, then the hive should 
be moved to a position at least two miles in a direct line from 
where it stands, and preferably rather farther, and as in the 
previous case, the move should be made after the bees have 
ceased flying for the day. It sometimes may occur that owing 
to the intervention of a river, wall, or other obstacle, it may not 
be possible to move a hive to a fresh stand close at hand at the 
rate of two to four feet per day ; in such cases the hive should 
be moved to a spot more than two miles from its original stand, 
and after it has remained in the new position for a month or 
more, it may be transferred to its final position. This method 
of moving may have to be adopted when uniting stocks (188). 
Hives containing stocks of bees should not be forwarded long 
distances by road or rail during the months from May to August, 
inclusive, unless there is urgent reason for doing so; but they 
may be moved with safety at any other time, except when the 
weather is exceptionally cold. The best time for moving hives 
containing stocks is in April and the early part of May. 
When it is desired to forward a hive containing bees by road or 
rail, the hive must not be moved until after 
184, Securing a Bar- bees have ceased flying in the evening, but 
seis ane for #lt necessary preparations, except closing 
the entrance, may be made earlier in the 
pee ty Se oad day, giving the eee sufficient time to settle 
; after disturbance. The hive should be pre- 
pared for moving as follows :—Subdue the bees (65) ; remove the 
body-box from off the floor-board ; tack to the floor-board two 
lengths of hay rope of about one inch diameter, these being placed 
parallel to one another and about three inches from each side 
of the floor-board; these ropes must not project under the 
body-box in front nor under the dummy when it is in position ; 
if the hive is not fitted with a Swiss or similar metal entrance (21) 
affording ample ventilation, perforated zinc should be used to 
cover the entrance, and if the ventilating space thus provided 
is but small, a floor ventilator, say four inches square, should be 
cut in the floor-board and covered on its upper side by perforated 
zinc; replace the body-box; remove from the brood nest frames 
containing honey only, and place them behind the dummy, 
and, if space admits, substitute for them one or two frames of 
