80 BEE-KEEPING FOR PROFIT 
Another empty hive will also be required 
for the process, which is commenced by turn- 
ing the hive which contains the bees upside 
down. Over this is placed the empty one— 
which should be of the same size—and the 
edge nearest the end of the longest comb is 
fixed on the lower hive by means of a knitting 
needle thrust through both edges. The op- 
posite edges of the hives should be left about 
six inches apart, being secured in that position 
by means of driving irons or strong pieces of 
hazel sharpened and stuck into the edge of 
both hives at a different angle from that of the 
knitting needle at the back. 
It is advisable, too, to fix a tea-cloth or 
a piece of similar material, so as to prevent the 
bees from running up the outside of the top 
hive. The actual process of driving consists 
in tapping the sides of the lower hive to which 
the combs are fixed, simultaneously with the 
hands. If the bees are slow to run the taps 
may be given at shorter intervals, while if they 
run freely the tapping may be lighter and 
slower. Asarule the bees will fill themselves 
with food before leaving the combs and it may 
be necessary to use the smoker to dislodge the 
stragglers; in this case only very slight blasts 
should be administered. 
