436 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
No bees pass the division-board until both lots have 
acquired the same smell, and all ‘‘fight,’’ by this 
means, is taken out of them. 
It may happen that we discover a stock ( - Q) to 
have lost its queen at a season when, presumably, a 
successor could not be fecundated ; while in a dis- 
tant part of the apiary stands a colony (W) so 
weak as to need assistance : the union of these would, 
therefore, appear most desirable. Of course, we may 
bring the two up side by side by slow marches, as 
described under “ Moving,” and then unite into one 
strong stock by alternation of frames, or by Mr. Raitt’s 
method — standing the new-made colony between the 
stations just previously occupied by the two ; but the 
moving may generally be avoided by a little ingenuity. 
E.g.^ if the queenless lot stand near one of fair 
strength (S), after smoking both S and W, care- 
fully leaving the queen behind, carry as many combs 
with brood and bees from S as will make \V strong. 
S is now weak, and may be united to the queenless 
bees on the new station (ns). Some will, of course, 
return from W, but they will join their old queen, 
and so no mischief will follow. 
Our greatest difficulties are likely to arise with 
stocks that have been long queenless, and in seasons 
when the bees can fly freely, and yet gather nothing. 
When nectar abounds, provided always that the new- 
comers have not empty honey-sacs, there is a general 
desire to cultivate the arts of peace ; and when the 
weather is cold, all prefer comfort to chivalry. In 
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