500 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
close, as bad temper and robbing are then easily 
induced. The rough plan of brushing bees back on to 
the top of the open hive is fraught with danger, for 
the odour rising attracts the thieves, while the stock, 
bewildered by the light, and kept in check by smoke 
or carbolic, is heavily handicapped in defending itself. 
Fix, therefore, a platform about 2ft. square (page 258) 
in front of the hive, resting one edge on the alighting- 
board, so that the bees, in running in, ascend a 
gentle incline. Driving the bees down as before, by 
carbolised paper is of great assistance; but whether 
we adopt this plan or no, a chisel is inserted, and the 
top box raised on wedges too small to permit a bee 
to escape ; and now smoke is puffed through the 
opening, or the carbolic spray, or carbolised feather, 
is used (page 20), when the box is lifted on to a 
bottom board put to receive it. The paper is in turn 
transferred to the second box, while a cloth covers 
the first. The second box is now similarly removed, 
and placed over its companion, when the hive is 
covered down snugly, and its roof replaced. The 
frames are next lifted out one by one, each held by 
the ear, while the bees are jerked and brushed on to 
the platform, and the comb placed in a vacant storey 
provided for the purpose. When filled, this passes 
to a place of safety, and the second box is cleared as 
the first, its combs going into Box No. i, which is 
immediately housed. Start now on another hive, pre- 
ferably situated at some distance from the first, and 
fix in position the liberated platform. In this way 
but little excitement is caused, but should a mishap 
occur, it is better to discontinue for the day, if possible.. 
