UNITING STOCKS. 107 



■ -tcept perhaps a few stragglers ; remove the hive now 

 containing the bees to the stand, to take the place of the 

 old sleep, and leave it there until evening. When driving 

 put your ear close to the top hive, and listen ; if the 

 svrarming hum (a peculiarly sweet sound made by the 

 wings) is heard, all is going on satisfactorily. But, if no 

 humming sound is audible, they have not been terrified or 

 smoked sufficiently. The few bees left amongst the combs 

 may be either shaken out on the ground, or, what is better 

 still, brushed out with a feather ; they will not be long in 

 returning to their companions on the stand. 



Now attend to the hive with the combs. If it is left 

 in the neighbourhood of the bee-house an hour or two, 

 probably very little honey will be found in it when wanted. 

 Remove it at once to a cool room where the bees have no 

 access. It is also a wise plan to drain out the honey from 

 the combs after nightfall, to prevent robbing by the bees ; 

 it is very unpleasant to have them buzzing around the 

 room, which they most certainly will be if honey is scented 

 in working hours. 



UNITING STOCKS. 



The driven bees will not do much good if left to them- 

 selves, without comb and honey, and with winter coming 

 on. Examine all the remaining stocks ; very likely you 

 have a second swarm (often called a cast), which are weak 

 and contain but few bees. You will do well to strengthen 

 these, or any weak stock you have in the apiary, by uniting 

 with fhem the driven bees. In the evening again put a 

 match to the linen rags, and blow a few whifFs of smoke 

 into the weak hive in which you purpose placing the con- 

 demned stock. Spread on the ground opposite the hive a 

 tablecloth, on which place two walking-sticks, or other 

 supports, for the hive to rest upon, so that no bees will be 



