310 THE APIARY. 



day, when they are at work, there will be but little danger 

 from ri^bbers (661). 



It is conducted as follows : Have in readiness a box — 

 which we shall call the forcinij tiox— whose diameter is about 

 the same with that of the hive from which you intend to 

 drive the swarm. Smoke the hive, lift it from its bottom- 

 Loard without the slightest jar, turn it over, and carefully 

 carry it off about a rod, as Ijees, if disturbed, are much more 

 inclined to be peaceable, when removed a short distance from 

 their familiar stand. If the hive is gently placed upside 

 do^ni on the ground, scarcely a bee will fly out, and there will 

 be little danger of being stung. The timid and inexperienced 

 should protect themselves with a bee-^•eil, and may blow more 

 smoke among them, as soon as the hive is inverted. After 

 placing it on the ground, the forcing-box must be put over 

 it. If smooth inside, it should have slats fastened one-third 

 of the distance from the toji, to aid bees in clustering. Some 

 Apiarists place the box slanting on the hive, so as to be able 

 to see the bees climbing. This method, called open driving, is 

 a little slower, but it may give the operator the chance of 

 seeing the cjueen; when the driving can be considered as done. 



575. As soon as the Apiarist has confined the bees, he 

 should place an empty hive — which we call the dccoij-hive 

 —upon their old stand, which those returning from the fields 

 may enter, instead of dispersing to other hives, to meet, per- 

 haps, with a most ungracious reception. As a general rule, 

 howe\cr, a bec with a load of honey or bee-bread, after the 

 extent of her resources is ascertained, is pietty sure to be 

 welcomed by any hive to which she may carry Jier ti'easure; 

 while a ]io\eily-slricken unfortunate that jiresumes to claim 

 their hos])itality is, usually, at cnce destroyed. The one 

 meets with as flattering a reception as a wealthy gentleman 

 ])r()posiiig to take up his abode in a country ^•i^ag■e, whi'e 

 the other is as much an object of dislike as a poor man, who 

 bids fair to become a public charge. 



If there are in the apiary several old colonies standing 



