340 



A Modern Bee-Farm 



chaptp:r XXIII. 



DRIVEN BEES 



fZTVIHERE these can be secured in Autumn the 

 111 general rules laid down for management of 

 ordinary stock will of course apply in their case. 

 There are, however, a few minor matters that require 

 attention, especially by those who have had no practice in 

 this undertaking. Where the surrounding cottagers are 

 willing to part with their bees instead of killing them, the 

 general way is for the bar-framist to have them for his 

 trouble, but on no occasion should he give more than one 

 shilling for each lot, or they may turn out a dear bargain. 



How to Carry the Bees- 



By using lightly-made straw skeps, the bee-keeper can 

 carry eight or nine around his shoulder, slung on a broad 

 strap. Thus by uniting, after driving, two or three lots 

 into one, I have been able to carry home the bees from a 

 large number of cottagers' skeps, over a distance of four or 

 five miles where no trap could go. When a conveyance 

 can be taken, light well-ventilated boxes can be used to 

 greater advantage. 



As soon as the bees are driven from their combs, secure 



