3o8 A Modern Bee-Farm 



the first set of hives ; then straw and boards again, thus 

 always keeping a clear space under the sacking next the 

 frames. 



All covers and odd material must be packed separately, 

 and where the stock hives are simple square boxes, with 

 no projection whatever, the entire process will be more 

 satisfactory and expeditious. 



For Export, 



additional care will be necessary, while a sponge must be 

 provided at one side in a perforated box, with directions 

 requesting that the same may be moistened occasionally ; . 

 or a zinc vessel may be supplied with a cotton wick held 

 in a funnel reaching nearly to the bottom that the water 

 cannot be spilled. 



It may be necessary, according to the strength of the 

 €olony, to give an outer case, thoroughly ventilated to 

 provide for excessive heat ; though when it is known that 

 bees have to undergo a high temperature, a nu^;leus only 

 will travel far better and give more satisfactory results 

 than a full colony. 



On receipt of the Bees, 



they should be placed out where they are to stand 

 permanently. The packing need not be removed for a 

 day or so, but the entrances are to be opened as soon as 

 the bees are a little quiet. Do not liberate each hive in 

 rotation, but go from one spot to another as far distant as 

 possible, and so let the first quiet down before a neigh- 

 bouring hive is opened. 



It is well not to examine the interior of the hives until 

 the bees have first noted their location ; but it will then 

 be necessary to determine if any queens have been lost, 

 which frequently is the case. Where any are gone it will 



