i8 A Modern Bee-Farm 



the highest point, and that at the ends of the line of combs, or 

 the bees will not go up readily. Then transfer the combs to the 

 frame hive, and return the bees, as explained in the chapter on 

 Modern Hives, &c. One is often told to procure a pail or 

 table whereon to place the sleeps while driving, but if the 

 operator will only bend his back he will want no such thing and 

 will find the earth a far better " stand " than any other. 



Bumping. 



After first intimidating the bees, another way to get them 

 out, is to invert the hive and give it one or two sharp " bumps '' 

 on the ground, at the edge of the crown on the side parallel to 

 the combs. If carefully done the combs break away from the 

 sides and top of the hive much cleaner than they can be taken 

 out by any other way. Brush the bees off into an empty skep, 

 and transfer the combs as desired. This plan was first intro- 

 duced by Mr. F. Lyon, and has met with great success. 



Throwing. 



This is quite an old plan, and where the combs are fixed, 

 either by cross sticks through them in skeps, or in shallow-frame 

 hives, nothing can exceed its simplicity and rapidity. Place an 

 empty hive on a sheet upon the ground, mouth upwards ; stand 

 over the same with the stocked hive held by the hands at the rim 

 between the legs of the operator; raise the hive and lower it 

 quickly, then stop the motion with a sudden jerk just as the 

 empty hive is neared ; repeat as often as necessary and the bees 

 will be all thrown out. Wait a few minutes after smoking them, 

 lift the hive and proceed, when the bees having discontinued 

 feeding at the cells, will come out more readily. In the case of 

 frame hives they will be shaken down on the top, or at the 

 entrance, of the lower hive. 



