INCREASING AND UNITING 83 
uniting. This operation becomes an obligation at 
times, as in the case of weak stocks which are 
unable to winter, or with nuclei at the close of 
queen-rearing. It is also necessary with moderate 
colonies just before the honey flow, so that they. 
may be placed in a position to take advantage 
of it, 
When bees are united care must be taken to 
prevent fighting, and if precautions are not taken 
the weaker of the two parties will be killed. The 
best plan with weak colonies is to gradually move 
them towards each other until they stand side by 
side. Remove all empty combs until each colony 
occupies the same number -of frames as nearly, 
as possible. Take away the worst of the two 
queens, and cage the other upon a comb with a 
pipe-cover cage. Now dust the bees thoroughly, 
with flour in the hive containing the queen, and 
space the combs wide apart to admit of the others 
being placed alternately, with them. Then dust 
the queenless bees and place them in the spaces 
reserved for their reception. Take away the empty 
hive, cover up the united stock, and liberate the 
queen in twenty-four hours. 
Syrup scented with peppermint may be used 
instead of flour if preferred. Never attempt to 
unite “‘ driven’ bees by running them into the 
entrance of an established colony, or they will be 
killed. If it is necessary to use these bees for 
strengthening purposes, hive them first upon 
combs, and then proceed upon the lines indicated. 
