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TRANSFERRING BEES AND COMB FROM COMMON 
TO MOVABLE-COMB HIVES. 
Bees may be transferred at any time during the year, 
yet nothing will be gained by doing so in the fall or 
winter ; nor should they be transferred until they have 
a fertile queen, which usually occurs three weeks after 
swarming. 
All operations which produce a disturbance among 
the combs are most successfully performed when forage 
is abundant, for at such times the bees will readily re- 
pair the combs. The best time to transfer bees to the 
movable-comb hive is during the interval between the 
appearance of fruit tree flowers and swarming time; 
during that period the operation is usually successful, 
even if performed by beginners. 
Before beginning the job, the following utensils 
should be procured : A long knife, to cut the combs ; 
vessels to receive the honey ; a broad board or table, 
upon which to lay the combs ; a transfer board, about 
fifteen inches square ; a narrow hand saw, or piece of 
iron hoop, twenty inches long and two inches wide, 
sharpened at one end like a chisel, to separate the 
combs from the side of the common hive ; a hammer 
and strong chisel, to pry off one side of the hive ; some 
linen twine or strips of strong muslin, about half an 
inch wide, and a large feather. 
II 
