TRANSPORTING BEES. 
371 
elliptic springs. But a wagon without springs is bad, 
especially for young stocks. Yet I have known them 
moved safely in this way, but it required some care 
in packing with hay, or straw, under and around them, 
and careful driving. Good sleighing will answer very 
well, and by some thought to be the best time. 
HIVE TO BE INVERTED. 
Whatever conveyance is employed, the hive should 
be inverted. The combs will then all rest closely on 
the top, and are less liable to break than when right 
end up, because then the whole weight of the combs 
must depend upon the fastenings at the top and sides 
for support, and are easily detached and fall. When 
moving bees, so reversed, they will creep upward ; in 
stocks part full, they will often nearly all leave the 
combs, and get upon the covering. In a short time 
after being set up, they will return, except in very 
cold weather, when a few will sometimes freeze ; con- 
sequently a warm room is required to put them in for 
a short time. 
After carrying them a few miles, the disposition to 
sting is generally gone, yet there are a few excep- 
tions. In moderate weather, when bees are confined, 
they manifest a persevering determination to find their 
way out, particularly after being moved, and some- 
what disturbed. I have known them to bite holes 
through muslin in three days. The same difficulty is 
often attendant on attempting to confine them to the 
hive by muslin when in the house in the winter, 
except when kept in a cold situation. Should any 
