and its Economic Management. 17 



is not so much that they are full of honey as that they are home- 

 less, and have only recently been under great excitement. By 

 the aid of some intimidant, the bees of an established colony may 

 also be excited and made to fill themselves with honey, when the 

 combs may be removed at will. It does not happen, how- 

 ever, that all the bees rush to the cells, as I have always 

 noticed that many do not attempt to do so. These may be 

 already loaded, but the state of excitement is so soon communi- 

 cated to all that none, as a rule, attempt to retaliate when the 

 hive is examined. 



When necessary to look into a fixed-comb hive (commonly 

 called a "skep") first drive a few puffs 



of smoke in at the entrance from a , ^^^^^ ^Z2^ 



bellows smoker, as illustrated, which is ^^^m^^^ ^ 



of the " Bingham " pattern ; give the M^Wg ^SHJ 

 sides of the hive several sharp raps, then 



turn it up in a line parallel with the combs, so that none may 

 fall to one side. If it be desired 



To Drive the Bees, 



first invert the hive, and let its crown rest upon the ground, 

 place an empty box or skep above, fitting exactly mouth to 

 mouth, and then continue to rap upon the sides of the lower 

 hive with a stout stick, or the hands ; but on no account jar in 

 such a rough manner that the combs are broken from their 

 attachments. Soon the bees will be heard roaring on their 

 march upwards, being in fear of the trembling combs falling 

 about them. In the first instance a cloth may be secured round 

 the junction of the two hives, thus ensuring that no bees rush 

 out ; after a few minutes this can be removed, and the upper 

 skep tilted from front to back, having first been secured to the 

 other with a skewer, or anything that will keep them together 

 without shifting. The operator will soon prefer to do without 

 the cloth and keep the skeps parted from the first, when the 

 queen may be captured as she ascends, if desired. It should be 

 so arranged that the back where the bees are to run up shall be 



