100 
THE APIARY. 
combs next to the outside. If a comb be too weak to sustain its 
weight, it must be divided in the middle, and the upper half 
supported by a cross-piece tacked within the frame. 
If the air be cool, the bees in the small box set upon the hive, 
will be needed to keep the brood warm in the new hive, and may 
be shaken into it when only two or three frames have been 
filled, but in warm weather, we usually transfer all the combs 
before hiving the bees. If there be much honey in the combs, 
it is well to place a shallow pan — made for the purpose — beneath 
the frames, to catch the drippings. If this be not done, clean 
off the bottom-board with a wet cloth. Cover the upward pas- 
sages to keep the bees below, and bringing the drum box, shake 
the bees on a sheet at the entrance of the hive, (being careful 
not to jar the combs,) gently brushing them until all have 
entered. Keep the hive in a vertical position, and carry it 
steadily (without the cap) to the original stand. Blow a little 
smoke under the box left to hold the returning bees, and, if 
numerous, jar them upon a sheet in front of the hive. Replace 
the cap, contract the entrance, and shade the hive from the sun. 
When the bees are gathering but little honey, and there is no 
out-building into which the stock may be taken after drumming 
out the bees, place a board upon a sheet, and upon it your drum 
box, and cut out all the combs before transferring them into the 
frames. As the combs are removed, one by one, brush off the 
bees upon the sheet, and let them enter the drum box, while an 
assistant immediately carries the comb into the house, placing it 
upon a few thicknesses of rags. As soon as the bees have 
entered the drum box, set it upon the original stand, and let it 
