132 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
must be of corresponding length, with a stout hook 
(/z) fastened at the end of it. Hold the box close 
under the cluster, and jar the limb once or twice 
with the hook, and the operation is completed. Lower 
the box carefully, and pour or shake the bees out 
in front of the hive to be occupied. If the bees need 
be kept waiting for their permanent home, put the 
box on the ground, and cover it closely with a sheet. 
The defect in this swarm-taker consists in its being 
fixed to the pole, so that it cannot be kept in the 
Fig. 40.— Tools to Secure Swarms. 
A and B, Shepherd Swarm-taker and Hooked Pole—/*, Hook. C, Cheshire’s Im- 
proved Form of Swarm-taker— r, Iron Rod ; f, Ferrule. D, Canvas Bjrg for 
Swarm-catching. 
desirable perpendicular position when placed under 
the bees. My arrangement (C) overcomes this diffi- 
culty. The thin iron rod (r) passes loosely through 
the box, above its centre of gravity, so that the latter 
always rights itself, whatever may be the position 
of the pole ; while to pass it through any opening, 
between branches by example, the box can be kept 
horizontal by putting the side a downwards. The 
holes in these boxes have quite a fascination for the 
bees, while they supply such abundant ventilation 
that the cluster remains contentedly within. Some 
