THE APIARY. 109 



They are unsightly, and much less durable, than if 

 planed and neatly painted. 



TRANSPORTING BEES SHORT DISTANCES. 



When bees are removed but a few miles, and re- 

 quire to be confined but for a day or. two, smoke 

 them a little. Invert the hive, take a square piece of 

 coarse brown sheeting muslin, spread it over the 

 mouth of the hive, if an open one ; lay strips of 

 shingles on the cloth, and tack it firmly to the hive ; 

 these strips will keep the bees from forcing out under 

 the edges of the cloth, and require less tacks. For 

 very strong colonies in warm weather, there should 

 be openings on each side of the hive, of about three 

 or four square inches, covered with wire cloth, to 

 admit air and prevent the bees from escaping while 

 in transitu. 



The improved movable comb hive (having a sta- 

 tionary bottom board and adjustable slide in front, 

 which can be closed instantly, being also provided 

 with proper ventilation in the rear from the graduated 

 air chamber below, admitting the air freely but ex- 

 cluding the light, which prevents them from inces- 

 santly fighting to get out), is a very convenient hive 

 in which to transport bees safely in any direction. 

 Great care should invariably be taken to ventilate 

 well. 



Having them prepared for loading, be careful to 



see the direction of the combs in each hive, and mark 



it with chalk or pencil, if they are to be hauled in a 



wagon of any kind (one with elliptic springs is best 



10 



