say the 15th of March is the time to place your bees on 
the bench, preparatory for dividing when the proper 
time comes, which is from the^oth of May up to the 
15th of June. This the bee master’s own judgment 
must decide, as it depends on the season and the condi- 
tion of your bees. When the time comes and the bees 
are apparently numerous the bee-master will proceed to 
make two distinct colonies in the following manner: 
The double hive now stands on the middle of the 
bench and the bees having formed the habit of working 
from two sides of the hive, there will be about an equal 
number working from each side of your roof, (for you 
must protect your bees with a roof, directions for do- 
ing which will be given hereafter.) 
In the evening between sun-down and dark you will 
move the double hive towards one end of your bench 
on the edge of your cross board. You will then close 
the fly hole so the bees cannot get out, then with a stick 
beat about three minutes on the lower section. The 
old Queen will pass from the noise to the top section. 
Wrftui ppose the youn^ Queens will be in the lower sec- 
tion. You will then press a small chisel in the joint and 
break the clinches, then lift the top section, piace it by 
the side of the bottom section, one side resting on 
the opposite side of the cross-board and supply the 
lower section with a lid placing a flat stone on it to 
hold it in place for the pre-cut, replace the roof and the 
work is done for the present We say this Hive will 
divide seven times out of fen. The common bee-master, 
if he adopts the McDonald llive will have advantages 
that he can have in no other hive. You will notice 
your bees the next day. If the divide is a success 
your bees will be working as naturally as before you 
divided them all the bees that formed the habit of 
working from the east side will now be entering the sec- 
tion that is now east, and those that formed the habit of 
entering on the west will be entering the section that is 
west so you have two perfect colonies, as they were one 
perfect double hive when they were together by having 
a proper hive and educating them to do what you want- 
