216 DEPRIVATION AND TRANSPORTATION. 
containing brood, must be carefully preserved. The 
upper box in storied liives is then free from brood, 
and may easily be removed, not only without present 
detriment to the inmates, but almost without their 
knowledge. The modus operandi will be pointed 
out afterwards. It is not impracticable to accom- 
plish deprivation with the common straw-hive ; but 
it is attended with so much difficulty, and is so 
liable to failure, that it is seldom attempted. The 
mode of proceeding, however, as recommended and 
practised by Wildman, is to remove the full hive 
into a darkened room, and by repeated strokes on the 
outside, to force the bees to ascend into an empty 
one, placed immediately above the other ; after w hich 
the deprived bees are removed to their usual stand 
in the apiary. In the mean time the operator, with 
a thin pliable knife, cuts out the full combs, and 
scrapes off with a spoon what may have escaped the 
knife; he then returns the bees to their old hive. 
To the great mass of those who cultivate bees, this 
operation appears troublesome and dangerous ; and 
where it is attempted, it often fails, from the desire 
of appropriating too large a share of the stores, and 
from the destruction of the brood-combs. In certain 
circumstances, however, the operation, when done 
judiciously, may, even with straw-hives, be done with 
safety ; and that is when the deprived hives are to 
be immediately removed to the vicinity of heath. 
Change of pasture is most advantageous to these 
insects at this season ; for while the flowers in one 
district have entirely faded, those of another may be in 
