BEE MANUAL. 251 



side of the queenless hive, and the queenless bees on the other, 

 with a vacant comb or two in the centre ; do this as quietly as 

 possible, and close the hive. If this is done on a cool evening, 

 without much disturbance, the bees will remain quietly in their 

 respective quarters during the night and unite peaceably the 

 next day, when their combs may be placed together. 



Another and very good plan is to place a frame with bees 

 from each colony alternately in the hive, and so mix them up 

 thoroughly ; and. I have found that a little syrup sprinkled 

 over the bees when practising this method tends to prevent 

 them interfering with each other. I have also united colonies 

 by simply placing one hive over the other, and after a day or 

 two have lifted off the upper one and put all the bees into the 

 lower hive. In any case united colonies should be watched 

 for a while, and if fighting should commence use the smoker 

 freely ; in most cases two or three strong applications of smoke 

 will put a stop to it. 



UNITING SWARMS. 



When swarms issue late in the season it is often advisable 

 — especially when increase is not desired — to hive two or more 

 together in order that there may be a larger working force 

 brought into union, and so be better able to provide them- 

 selves with ample winter food during the remainder of the 

 season. Swarms that issue on the same day may be hived 

 together without the least trouble, and a swarm may be united 

 with one that was hived a day or two previous, by placing 

 the hive containing the new swarm as a super on top of the 

 other, watching the bees for a while, as already advised. 

 Swarms can be united in the same way at any time. 



/ 



XIOM. 



" The bee-keeper will ordinarily derive all his profits from 

 stocks, strong and healthy, in early spring. " 



Langitroth. 



