TRANSFERRING. 299 
576. Toreturn to our imprisoned bees: their hive should 
de beaten smartly with the palms of the hands, or two small 
rods, on the sides to which the combs are attached, so as 
to run no risk of loosening* them. These ‘‘ rappings,”’ 
although not of a very ‘‘spiritual’’ character, produce, 
nevertheless, a decided effect upon the bees. Their first 
impulse, if no smoke were used, would be to sally out, and 
wreak their vengeance on those who thus rudely assail 
their honied dome; but as soon as they inhale its fumes, 
and feel the terrible concussion of their once stable abode, 
a sudden fear, that they are to be driven from their treas- 
ures, takes possession of them. Determined to prepare for 
this unceremonious writ of ejection, by carrying off what 
they can, each bee begins to lay in a supply, and in about 
five minutes, all are filled to their utmost capacity. A pro- 
digious humming is now heard, as they begin to mount into 
the upper box: and in about fifteen minutes from the time 
the rapping began—if it has been continued with but slight 
intermissions—the mass of bees, with their queen, will hang 
clustered in the forcing-box, like any natural swarm, and 
may, at the proper time, be readily shaken out on a sheet, 
in front of their intended hive. 
Now put the forcing box on their old stand, and carry 
the parent-hive to some place where you cannot be annoyed 
by other bees. 
577. It is important to make sure that the queen is 
removed, as she might be injured in the transfer of comb. 
Her presence among the driven bees can be ascertained in 
a few minutes, by the quietness of their behavior, or by the 
eggs which she drops on the bottom board, and which can 
easily be seen if a black cloth is spread under the forcing 
box (155). 
* There is little danger of loosening the combs of an old colony, but the great- 
est caution {s necessary when the combs of a hive erenew. If, in inverting 
such a hive, the broad sides of the combs, instead of their edges, are inclined 
downwards, the heat, and weight of the bees, may loosen the combs, and ruin 
the colony. 
