The Manipulation of Bees 
247 
which the brood combs and any other good combs are cut 
out (Fig. 109) and fitted into frames, being fastened with 
string, rubber bands or strips of wood until the bees have an 
opportunity to repair them. These frames are hung in a 
hive on the old stand and the bees are then allowed to run in. 
The cutting of combs, especially those containing brood and 
honey, is a disagreeable job and, since combs from a box- 
hive are usually of little value, tliis method is not recom¬ 
mended. 
Plan 4. — Another method which is in some respects 
better than those just given is to place the box-hive with its 
largest surface uppermost. If the bottom is now open, it is 
closed except for an entrance and a piece is removed from 
the upper side of the box-hive. The hive in which the colony 
is to be located is now put over the large opening and all 
cracks and openings around it are closed. The upper hive 
is filled with drawn combs or, if these are not available, with 
sheets of foundation. When the queen needs more room 
for egg-laying, she will go to the upper hive and, after she 
is located there, a queen excluder is put between the box-hive 
and the new hive to prevent her return. As the brood 
emerges below, the colony becomes established above. If 
there is difficulty in getting the queen to go to the new hive, 
the box-hive may be drummed. After the brood in the old 
combs has all emerged, the bees may be drummed from the 
box-hive and it may be treated as desired. 
Transferring from walls of houses. 
Swarms often locate in the walls of houses and it is some¬ 
times necessary to remove them to prevent damage from 
melting combs. If the cavity in which the combs are 
built is accessible, the method is the same as in transferring 
under the third plan, except that drumming is impractical 
and the combs must be cut out with the bees still adhering 
to them. A liberal use of smoke will subdue them. If it is 
impossible to open the cavity without doing considerable 
damage to the building, a bee-escape (Fig. 19) may be put 
