'266 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



union thus formed, and all the straggling bees col- 

 lected into one hive, shut it up, ventilating properly. 

 Keep it thus closed until sunset the next day, then 

 open it and again shut it up next morning, before 

 they begin to fly; open again in the evening, per- 

 mitting them to fly. Early next morning blow a 

 little smoke into the hive, or rap on it; by this 

 means when they fly out, supposing they have been 

 removed, they will be careful to take a new reckon- 

 ing, and all return to the hive ; otherwise those 

 moved from another stand, and united in the new 

 stand, will return and be lost. 



TO UNITE SWARMS IN BOX HIVES. 



It is more difficult to unite weak stocks that are 

 in box hives, yet it can be done as follows : Blow 

 smoke freely into each stock you wish to operate 

 upon ; invert both hives ; with a thin-bladed knife 

 cut the points of the combs square, in the hive that 

 has the straightest combs ; pry off the side of the 

 other hive with a chisel or hatchet; now cut the 

 fastenings of the combs at the sides and top, set 

 these in crosswise of those already in the hive, first, 

 however, boring two holes in each side of the hive 

 fths of an inch ; provide two sticks to fit, point them 

 nicely, and push them through each comb from the 

 one side as they are put in, until all are in — these 

 sticks penetrate the holes on the opposite side. 

 Take lumps of wax, or pieces of combs, and put 

 between the combs, bridging them clear across to 

 keep them the proper distance apart. The bees 



