300 miner's AMERICAN 



as dark as possible within the hives. This done, the 

 lower hive should be rapped smartly with a small rod on 

 all sides, for the space of ten or fifteen minutes ; when, 

 in all probability, half or two-thirds of the family, with 

 the queen, will have ascended into the upper hive, and 

 clustered there in a compact and quiet body. 



HOW TO CUT OUT BROOD-COMBS. 



This is a job that is not coveted by the amateur apia- 

 rian ; yet it must be done, where artificial swarms are 

 to be made ; and when once performed, it is quite easy 

 to do. All that is necessary is perfect protection, that 

 does not obscure the vision, — a steady hand, with cour- 

 age and perseverance, and all obstacles dwindle into 

 insignificance. 



In the first place, I will introduce to your acquaint- 

 ance, a couple of very handy instruments, that every 

 bee-keeper should possess. 



One is a long knife, with an edge on each side, and 

 sharpened at the end, so as to admit severing combs 

 from their attachments with facility. The other is a long 

 steel rod, with a two-edged knife at the angle, for the 

 purpose of cutting combs horizontally. One edge of 

 the blade is turned directly towards the reader, and the 

 other from him. The length of the rod and handle, 

 should be about 18 inches, and the length of the blade 

 at the angle, an inch and a half The diameter of the 



