BEE MANUAL. 



185 



the force of the blows, but not so violently as to endanger the 

 breaking down of the combs inside. When the drumming has 

 been continued without intermission for a period ranging from 

 ten to twenty minutes the bees will be nearly all clustered in 

 the upper box. When this has taken place the upper box may 

 be lifted off and placed on the old stand, free ingress and egress 

 being allowed for the bees in front. 



FIXING COMES IN FRAMES. 



The combs are now ready to be transferred. If there are 

 robber bees about — which may soon be known by seeing them 

 settling on the combs — take the box of combs into a room or 

 shed — if no bee tent (see Chapter XV.) be at hand — where the 

 robbers cannot get in. With your long knife cut the combs 

 free from the sides of the box, and take an end and a side off 



Fig, 95.— PIECES OF COMB TRANSFERRED TO FRAME. 



carefully. Now cut the combs out separately without breaking 

 them, and select the straightest containing brood in the first 

 instance. Lay a comb on the transferring board, with a frame 

 over it, and if it be larger than the frame, cut it just a trifle 

 larger than the inside, so that by springing the frame a little 

 it will go over and grip the comb so cut. If this be neatly 

 done the comb will require no other fastening. According as 

 each frame is finished, hang it in the hive. 



When more than one piece is required to fill a frame, select 

 only such as are straight, containing brood or honey, and 

 secure them in the frames with the wires and clasps, as shown 

 in the above illustration. 



With the aid of the transferring board (Fig. 94) the wires 

 can be put on both sides of the frame without moving it 



