and its Economic Management. 313, 



sure of no mistake, when the remainder of the tacks can- 

 be driven in. 



If the weather is cold more bees must accompany the 

 queen, and additional warmth may be given by outside 

 packing, though this is seldom necessary with Benton's 

 cage. Instead of the brad holes I have found a sawcut 

 through the end more effective for ventilating in hot 

 weather. 



Packing Swarms. 



A " rough-and-ready " way is to tie a piece of strainer 

 cloth over the mouth of a skep in which the swarm may 

 have been taken ; but for long distances something more 

 substantial is necessary, and a frame of honey will be 

 required. 



The box must be as light as is possible consistent with, 

 strength, and ventilation should be given on at least two 

 opposite sides. I have had very good results with air 

 space all round the top, the lid being raised and secured 

 to the main body with perforated zinc. 



Swarms should always be purchased by weight, and the 

 buyer ought to insist upon receiving no other. There are 

 3,500 bees to the pound, and four or five pounds would 

 give a good working swarm. The plan of offering swarms- 

 containing so many thousand bees, when in reality not 

 more than a third of the number make up the swarm 

 forwarded, is becoming a thing of the past, and I do not 

 suppose many would be caught in the trap now ; never- 

 theless, swarms of no guaranteed weight are still advertised,, 

 and it is time bee-keepers set their faces against the 

 practice. 



Weighing Bees. 



Where natural or other swarms are weighed after clus- 

 tering inside the travelling box, they can be first secured 



