206 
SUMMER. 
rise to the opinion of one old lady, who knew “drum- 
ming on a pan did good, for she had tried it.”) Yery 
often a hive is to be constructed, or an old one unlit 
to use any way, needs some sticks across, or some- 
thing to take time. When the hive is obtained, it 
must be washed with something nice to make the bees 
like it ; a little honey must be daubed on the inside ; 
sugar and water, molasses and water, salt and water, or 
salt and water rubbed on with hickory leaves, “ is the 
best thing in the world;” several other things are just 
as good, and some are better. Even whisky, that bane 
of man, has been offered them as a bribe to stay, and 
sometimes they are persuaded and go to work. Now 
I cannot say positively that these things do harm, yet 
NOTHING BUT BEES NEEDED IN A HIVE. 
I am quite sure they do no good, as nothing but bees 
is needed in a hive. Is it reasonable to suppose they 
are fond of all the “knick-knacks” given them? I 
have never used any, and could not possibly have 
done better. I am careful to have the hive sweet and 
clean, and not too smooth inside; an old hive that has 
been used before is scalded and scraped. 
But to the manner they get the bees in, after the 
hive is ready. A table is set out, and a cloth spread 
on it ; sticks are put on to raise the hive an inch or 
more ; if they succeed in getting the swarm even on 
the outside of the hive it is left ; if they go in, it is 
well; if they go off, why hope for “better luck 
next time.” The hive is left unsheltered in the hot 
sun, and when there is no wind, the heat is soon in- 
