CONTROLLED INCREASE. 
235 
vantage of entirely freeing the hands of the operator. 
Commence now to drum or beat upon the side of the 
skep, either with the bare hand or with a stick, as in 
open driving, when the bees will almost immediately 
begin to ascend ; and, as we continue thudding, careful 
watch should be kept for the queen, who will generally 
be espied eagerly seeking security by clambering 
aloft amongst her retreating children, who make no 
attempt to escape by the opening between the hives ; 
nor do they at all threaten to use their stings. They 
are so terror-stricken that thoughts for their own safety 
entirely banish notions of vengeance, and, under these 
circumstances, they are harmless as flies. Generally 
speaking, the veil is a needless impediment whilst 
driving. The beginner should start with one, but 
may throw it off so soon as the bees indicate their 
subdued condition, by commencing to run upwards. 
At the time we lifted the stock, probably large num- 
bers of bees were out foraging, and these, at their 
return, would, after a futile search for their old home, 
strive to enter other hives, to possibly meet the rapid 
despatch. An empty skep (a decoy skep), resembling 
the one removed, should be placed for their amuse- 
ment, when they will enter, leave, and re-enter, until 
our operation is complete, and we are able to deal 
with them. 
Driving for the purpose of obtaining a forced 
swarm is usually only undertaken in genial weather : 
but sometimes it has for its object the removal of 
both bees and combs from the skep in order that 
they may tenant a frame hive, and then adverse 
conditions may need some care in preparing the stock 
