46 MATiUAL OP THE APIARY. 



his comb surplus in tins form. If we use a two-story hive, these frames may be 

 put in above, two deep, by plowing a horizontal groove in the centre of the side- 

 boards, one-half inch wide, and of equal depth. The lower frames can be easily 

 adjusted by turning them diagonally till lowered to the groove. .1 think it is 

 generally better to rest content with one row of these frames, in which case we 

 need only to have our upper story half as deep as the lower one, and arranged 

 to take frames only half as deep. 



I have foijnd that I can get much more honey in such frames than I can in 

 boxes. 



GUIDE COMB. 



I have spoken of placing guide comb in the boxes. Small pieces of worker 

 comb or comb foundations may well be placed as a start in the top of the frames, 

 and boxes should always have these guides. For the latter, drone comb is as 

 good as worker. To fasten these we have but to dip the edges into melted bees- 

 wax. Strips of comb one-half inch wide are sufficient. We thus see that pieces 

 of worker comb, and bright pieces of drone comb should never be suffered to go 

 to waste or melted into wax. 



Many people have not the ability to readily understand a word painting as to 

 any implement, machine, or structure. Should any such wish a hive or any of 

 the above described articles, they had better take the descriptions to a good car- 

 penter, who will have no difficulty in following the- advice. Leave orders that 

 the hives be thoroughly painted. After seeing a hive, any one will be able to 

 make his own. 



It would be still better to visit some good apiary, or if that is impossible, to 

 send for a pattern hive, box, etc., to some reliable apiarist. Letters of inquiry 

 sent to me will always receive prompt attention. 



TO TEANSPER BEES FROM A COIIMON BOX TO A MOVABLE COMB HIVE. 



As many have bees already in common hives, and of course will desire to 

 transfer them immediately into a movable-frame hive, I will now proceed to 

 describe the process. 



The best time to transfer is early in the season, when there is but little honey 

 in the hives, though it may be done at any time, if sufficient caution is used. 

 This should never be done except on warm days, when the bees are actively 

 engaged in storing. After the bees get busy at work, approach the old hive, 

 blow a little smoke into the entrance to quief the bees, then carry the hive off 

 four or five rods, and turn the hive bottom up. Place another hive or box, pre- 

 viously prepared, over the old one, and wind a sheet about where the hives come 

 together, so that no bees can possibly get out. Place a box on the old stand, 

 in which the bees that are out can cluster when they return. Now with a stick 

 rap on the lower hive for about twenty minutes. The bees will fill with honey, 

 and go with the queen into the upper hive and cluster. A few young bees will 

 still remain in the old hive, but these will do no harm. Now put the top hive 

 down, leaving the edge raised so the bees can get air. If other bees do not 

 trouble, as they usually will not if busily gathering, we can proceed in the open 

 air. If they do we must go into some room. I have frequently transferred the 

 comb m my kitchen, and often in a barn. Now knock the old hive apart, cut 

 the combs from the sides, and get the combs out of the old hive with just as 

 little breakage as possible. We now need a barrel, set on end, on which we 

 place a board fifteen to twenty inches square, coyered with several thicknesses 



