138 TRANSFERRING. 



which the combs are to be removed. The bees will gather into 

 this as the work progresses. Lay a board upon a barrel, for a 

 table, and upon this jour transferring board, (18 inches long by 

 14 wide,) upon which two or three thicknesses of woolen cloth 

 should be tacked. As each comb is cut out, brush off the strag 

 gling bees, lest they get besmeared, and lay it upon this cushion, 

 and upon it your frame. Mark inside the frame, and trim off 

 the comb in such a manner, that when fitted into the frame, it 

 shall remain in about the same position (top edge up) that it 

 occupied in the old hive, as many of the cells incline upward. 

 Cut the comb a trifle large, and spring the frame over it. Fit in 

 all pieces of good worker comb, even if old and black. Combs 

 too thick to let the frames together, should be shaved off. The 

 drone comb may be known by its large coarse cells, and unless 

 placed in the upper part of the outside frames, should be rejected, 

 by which a stock will often be rendered very prosperous that 

 was no profit to its owner before. When transferred in the 

 spring, no more honey need be put into the new hive than is 

 necessary to secure all the worker comb, but if transferred late, 

 plenty of honey should be given. As melted rosin or bits of 

 tin are insufficient for fastening heavy combs into the frames, we 

 use strips of wood, one-fourth of an inch thick by three-eighths 

 wide. One of these slats is pushed under the comb, another 

 laid on top, and the ends looped together with twine. Eaise the 

 end of the cushion-board, to bring the comb to an upright posi- 

 tion, and set it into the new hive, which should be kept covered 

 to exclude stranger bees. Care must be taken to place all combs 

 containing brood or eggs, together in the centre, with the store 



