TRANSPORTING BEES. 
369 
the hive. On the next comb there were a few bees; 
with a quill these were brushed down into the hive ; 
this piece was then removed, and the bees on the 
other side of it were brushed down also. In this way 
ail others were removed, and left the hive just full. 
The other full hive, after it was sawed on each side, 
a small wire was drawn through, parallel with the 
sheets, and severed all the combs at once ; each piece 
was taken out, and the bees that were clustered on 
them brushed back ; removing the loose part of the 
hive, was the last thing to be done. This last method 
was preferred to the other by my employer ; yet it was 
all performed to his satisfaction, no sting or other diffi- 
culty about it, except the trouble of warming fingers 
rather frequently. Tobacco smoke would have kept 
them quiet during the operation, nearly as well. If 
preferred, a hive may stand right side up while sawing 
it. 
MODERATE WEATHER BEST TO REMOVE BEES. 
In transporting your bees, avoid if possible the two 
extremes of very cold, or very warm weather. In the 
latter the combs are so nearly melted, that the weight 
of the honey will bend them, bursting the cells, spilling 
the honey, and besmearing the bees. In very cold 
weather, the combs are brittle, and easily detached 
from the sides of the hive. When necessitated to 
move them in very cold weather, they should be put 
up an hour or so before starting. The agitation of 
the bees after being disturbed will create considerable 
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