BEE-KEEPING IN BAR-FRAME HIVES. 235 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



BEE-KEEPING IN BAR- FRAME HIVES. 



THE BEGINNER'S KIT. 



Bees: — Bar-framed hives, bar-frames, full-size and shallows; bar- 

 frame block; bee brush; a few carpenter's tools; founda- 

 tion comb; gloves; honey extractor; smoke-bellows ; swarm 

 catcher; 1 lb. sections; uncapping knife; veil; solar wax- 

 extractor. 



The cheapest way, but, perhaps not the best, is to get the so- 

 called wild bees that are to be found in the bush. Bush bees are 

 generally of the common black variety, except those that are found 

 near where some one has gone in for the yellow or golden-banded 

 ^Italian) varieties. In such localities cross-bred varieties will be 

 met with. Early in the spring vagrant swarms are to be met with, 

 either on the wing or settled prior to making a start for a fresh 

 habitation. If settled, they will put up with a good deal of 

 handling, and it is almost, if not quite impossible to get them on 

 the wing again. If it is difficult to dislodge them from their 

 temporary resting-place by the ordinary method of shaking, as 

 many as possible should be brushed off into a box .placed on the 

 ground, as directed below. If the swarm is on the wing, and they 

 appear inclined to settle in a place awkward to get at for the 

 purpose of hiving, take a small bush or bunch of leaves, and 

 slowly brush it up and down, or backwards and forwards on their 

 chosen settling spot, and they will soon vacate it for one that 

 may be handier and easier to take from. When about a third of 

 them are settled, take your coat off, roll up your shirt sleeves, so 

 that your arms will be bare to the elbow. In your left hand have 

 ■a candle-box, or one equally light, hold it under the cluster of 

 bees. If they have setted in a bush, or on the bough of a tree, 

 take hold of it near to the bees, give it a quick, sharp, sudden 

 jerk, so that the bees fall into the box you are holding. Be gentle ; 

 do not be in a hurry. The bees, if they have not been teased, 

 will not hurt you. Whilst swarming they put on their best be- 

 haviour. They are never more docile, than when they leave the 

 parent stock to establish themselves as a new colony. If you are 

 of a timid nature, and most novices in bee-keeping are, put on a 

 veil, tie your coat sleeves tightly round your wrists, so that the 



