■24 A Modern Bee-Farm 



united, move the hive to be occupied half-way between the 

 two, and take the other hive right away. A board placed 

 against the entrance, slanting to the ground, will aid the 

 bees in collecting at that spot, while the original inhabi- 

 tants of the hive will also feel in a strange position. 



Late Autumn Uniting. 



In general, when preparing for winter I nearly always 

 wait until October and November, and then a stock can 

 be carried any distance in the same apiary and joined to 

 another, with no loss of flying bees, and none get far from 

 home at that date, and not flying frequently they will 

 always make a note of their position. Many use thin 

 syrup scented with peppermint wherewith the bees are 

 sprayed, thinking that a common scent will make them 

 unite peaceably, but there is no need for anything of the 

 kind, if but one queen is allowed, and my directions are 

 followed with regard to separating the combs and fully 

 exposing the whole of the bees to the light for a few 

 minutes before the union is accomplished. 



Another very satisfactory way is that of removing the 

 best of the brood combs, and adhering bees of a colony 

 to any distant hive requiring them, while the remainder 

 may be united to any neighbouring hive, without the 

 possibility of losing any flying bees. The queen, if one, 

 being utilised as may be most desirable. By 



Uniting alter Three Days 



from the removal of one queen, the operation is usually 

 perfectly safe and satisfactory, while if both colonies had 

 been queenless prior to uniting, the merest novice will find 

 no difficulties in the way of this frequently dreaded opera- 

 tion. 



