BEE MANUAL, 185 
the force of the blows, but not so violently as to endanger the 
breaking down of the combs inside. When the drumming has 
been continued without intermission for a period ranging from 
ten to twenty minutes the bees will be nearly all clustered in 
the upper box. When this has taken place the upper box may ~ 
be lifted off and placed on the old stand, free ingress and egress 
being allowed for the bees in front. 
FIXING COMBS IN FRAMES. 
The combs are now ready to be transferred. If there are 
robber bees about—which may soon be known by seeing them 
settling on the combs—take the box of combs into a room or 
shed—if no bee tent (see Chapter XV.) be at hand-—where the . 
robbers cannot get in. With your long knife cut the combs 
free from the sides of the box, and take an end and a side off 
2 
EY 
aPosooeegy 
3 es 3 S0n 
Fig, 95.—PIECES OF COMB TRANSFERRED TO FRAME. 
carefully. Now cut the combs out separately without breaking 
them, and select the straightest containing brood in the first 
instance. Lay a comb on the transferring board, with a frame 
over it, and if it be larger than the frame, cut it just a trifle 
larger than the inside, so that by springing the frame a little 
it will go over and grip the comb so cut. If this be neatly 
done the comb will require no other fastening. According as 
each frame is finished, hang it in the hive. 
When more than one piece is required to fill a frame, select 
only such as are straight, containing brood or honey, and 
secure them in the frames with the wires and clasps, as shown 
in the above illustration. 
With the aid of the transferring board (Fig. 94) the wires 
can be put on both sides of the frame without moving it 
