THE APIARY. 139 



combs next to the outside. If a comb be too weak to sustain its 

 weight, it must be divided in the middle, and the upper half 

 supported by a cross-piece tacked within the frame. 



If the air be cool, the bees in the small box set upon the hive, 

 will be needed to keep the brood warm in the new hive, and may 

 be shaken into it when only two or three frames have been 

 filled, but in warm weather, we usually transfer all the combs 

 before hiving the bees. If there be much honey in the combs, 

 it is well to place a shallow pan — made for the purpose — beneath 

 the frames, to catch the drippings. If this be not done, clean 

 off the bottom-board with a wet cloth. Cover the upward pas- 

 sages to keep the bees below, and bringing the drum box, shake 

 the bees on a sheet at the entrance of the hive, (being careful 

 not to jar the combs,) gently brushing them until all have 

 entered. Keep the hive in a vertical position, and carry it 

 steadily (without the cap) to the original stand. Blow a little 

 smoke under the box left to hold the returning bees, and, if 

 numerous, jar them upon a sheet in front of the hive. Replace 

 the cap, contract the entrance, and shade the hive from the sun. 



"When the bees are gathering but little honey, and there is no 

 out-building into which the stock may be taken after drumming 

 out the bees, place a board upon a sheet, and upon it your drum 

 Dox, and cut out all the combs before transferring them into the 

 frames. As the combs are removed, one by one, brush off the 

 bees upon the sheet, and let them enter the drum box, while an 

 assistant immediately carries the comb into the house, placing it 

 upon a few thicknesses of rags. As soon as the bees have 

 entered the drum box, set it upon the original stand, and let it 



