314 SHIPPING AND TRANSPORTING BEES. 



from being loosened. It will be next to impossible, in warm 

 weather, to move a hive which contains much new comb 

 (215), or much fresh honey (249). 



Indeed, we would strongly urge beginners not to transport 

 bees in warm weather. Just before fruit-blossom is the best 

 time to transport full colonies of bees. Some advise trans- 

 porting them in Winter, on sleds, but after trial we con- 

 demned this method also. The joltings of a sleigh, though 

 few, are hard, and will break combs ; and disturbing 

 bees in cold weather should always be discouraged. When 

 hauhng bees in warm weather, do not load or unload them 

 while the horses are hitched to the wagon. We have seen 

 serious accidents resulting from a hive dropping from a 

 man's hands to the ground, causing the bees to escape, and 

 to sting both the driver and the horses severely. 



If a colony, in hot weather, is to be moved any distance in 

 movable-frame hives, it will be advisable to fasten frames 

 of wire-cloth, both to the top and bottom of the brood 

 apartment, and to transport the bottom-board (344), cloth, 

 mat, or surplus cap or cover (365), separately. 



Glass hives ought never to be sent off for fear of accident. 

 Hives with movable-frames should be arranged in such a 

 position that the frames run from side to side, and not from 

 front to rear, in the carriages. 



603. {Ms.) Upon arrival at the Apiary, if the weather is 

 warm, you should at once set the hive in proper position, and 

 release the bees. It is good policy to place a shade board 

 in front of the entrance for a day or two. The object of 

 this is to cause the old bees to notice that something is 

 changed in their location, and to turn around and mark the 

 place, instead of starting out as usual in s bee-line without 

 looking behind. 



604. New swarms may be brought home in any box 

 which has ample ventilation. A tea-chest, with wire-cloth 

 on the top, sides, and bottom-board, will be found very con- 



