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Operation. — If the operation is to be performed 
when the weather is warm and the combs soft and ten- 
der, the bees should be driven from the hive, in the 
manner directed for “driving swarms.” After the bees 
have ascended into the box, fasten a piece of cloth or 
wire-cloth over its mouth, and leave it, mouth up, in 
the shade until needed. Now take the hive from which 
the bees have been driven, into the shade of a tree, 
several rods away from other bees ; drive out the cross- 
sticks, pry off the top, separate the combs from one 
side of the hive, and pry off that side with the chisel, 
cutting the nails if necessary. Have the table placed 
near by, lay the transfer board upon it, then take two 
pieces of tape or strips of muslin, each long enough to 
tie around a frame, and lay them on the transfer board, 
about eight inches apart, cut out a worker-comb, and 
brush all the bees back with the feather ; lay the comb 
on the transfer board, in such a manner that the ends 
of the tape extend beyond the edge of the comb ; lay 
your frame upon the comb in such a manner that, when 
the comb is fitted into the frame, it will be in the same 
position it occupied when originally built — top side up. 
Mark inside the frame, and cut the comb at the side 
and top, to fit it, taking care not to cut the tape beneath 
it ; let down the cross-bar to suit the depth of the 
comb, fastening it as before. Cut the comb a little 
large, and spring the frame around it ; take the ends of 
the tape and tie them around the frame ; raise the end 
