426 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
being the hold it takes of the wind. The vallance 
may be either free to roll up, or be nailed down the 
legs, one angle being left loose, to give the operator 
entrance. • A fastening will be only required when 
the tent is used for a considerable time over one stock. 
In the hem of the calico it is desirable to inclose a 
light iron chain, which will fit down to any inequalities, 
and so prevent bees entering beneath. Not only, with 
this appliance, can hives be opened and examined in 
comfort under any circumstances, but any colony may 
be shut in out of the way by simply placing the tent 
over it (see page 421). 
Moving stocks and re-arranging the apiary are never 
quite so easily managed as after a long, cold ’spell, 
making the bees enforced prisoners for weeks in 
succession. Whenever, then, the temperature rises 
sufficiently (from 50° to 55°) to enable them to 
have a winter dance and discharge their faeces, they 
appear to note their position anew, and usually, with- 
out trouble, enter the hive, wherever it may have been 
placed ; but stocks vary a good deal in this particular. 
Except under the circumstances mentioned, bees do 
not ordinarily note their surroundings after these have 
been once learned, and then the removal of their hive 
even a few feet will utterly baffle them. They fly 
helplessly round at their return, and, worn down, 
settle about the old spot to perish. Should other hives 
stand near by, they make an attempt at entrance, often 
to pay the death penalty; while if very many pass 
the guards unchallenged, they are likely to ball the 
queen, and possibly destroy her. 
Hives may, of course, be moved long distances (not 
