TRANSFJiKlilNG. 301 



them rather large, so that they will just crowd into the 

 frames, and retain their places in their natural position (fig. 

 39), until the bees have time to fasten them. 



Now taciv as many wires over them as may be necessary 

 to hold them securely, and hang them in the hive. Drone 

 combs sliould incariahhi he melted into wax. If drone-brood 

 (168) is found, it can be fed to young chickens, who are 

 very fond of the larvre. The bottom board should be put 

 under the hive just before carrying it out. 



When the hive is thus prepared, the bees may be put 

 into it and confined, water being given to them, until they 

 have time to make all secure against robbers (664). 



If there is danger of robbers, it is preferable not to put 

 the bees into the hive till late In the afternoon. They 

 should be shaken in front of the new hive on a sheet (427) 

 like a natural swarm. 



When the weather is cool, the transfer should be made 

 in a warm room, to prevent the brood from being fatally 

 chilled. An expert Apiarist can complete the whole opera- 

 tion — from the driving of the bees to the returning of them 

 to their new hive — in about an hour, and with the loss of 

 very few bees, old or young. 



580. When transferring in early Spring, it should be 

 remembered that the worker-brood (168) is of great value ; 

 and not the least bit of it should be neglected or wasted 

 unnecessarily. After a week, or more, according to the 

 season, the hive may be opened and the fastening removed. 



Dr. Kirtland thus spoke of the results of transferring 

 some of his colonies to the movable-comb hives. 



" I had three stocks transferred to an equal number of Mr. 

 Langstroth's hives. The first had not swarmed in two years, 

 and had long ceased to manifest any industry ; the others had 

 never swarmed. All the hives were filled with black and filthy 

 comb, candied honey, concrete bee-bread, and an accumulation 

 of the cocoons and larvse of the moth. Within twenty-four hours, 

 each colony became reconciled to its new tenement, and began 



