8 
Davis’ platform for bee-iiivf.s. 
THE TRANSFERRING BOX 
May be made of J inch boards, 14£ inches long, 1 foot wide, 
2i inches deep on the outside—leaving off one side-board, 
making the other side-board 1J inch wider than end-boards, 
then get out 2 cleats 1] inch square, 8$ inches long, nail 
them on the ends of the box even with the open edge of 
end-board, and even with the outer edge of side-board. 
DIRECTIONS FOR MANAGING BEES. 
The best way is to swarm them into the new hives, 
commencing with the end hive, having all the connecting 
holes covered with tin. Place the hive on .the end of the 
platform, and as fast as the swarms come out place the 
hives close together, one after another, putting between 
them perforated tin or wove wire, and taking out the 
whole tins, let them remain till spring. Then move the 
full hives gently apart, cleaning as you proceed, aud place 
two empty hives alternately between the full ones, keep¬ 
ing the buttons closed on the full hives, and making the 
bees pass through the empty ones ; in this way you will 
prevent the bees from swarming. But if you wish them 
to swarm, you may have them swarm out of one hive, or 
put two or three hives in connection, having the buttons 
all closed, except one hive, until after swarming, then all 
may be opened. 
FOR TRANSFERRING BEES FROM OLD HIVES INTO NEW 
ONES. 
First, make a hole in the front of the old hive, to match 
the connecting hole in the side of the new hive. Place the 
new hive on the platform and set the old hive in connection 
with it, making the bees pass through the new hive. 
When the new hives are nearly filled, slide the old hive 
off and put an empty hive between, and still another, if 
they continue to fill. Let the old hive stand till about the 
20th of August, then start the old hive from the new one 
about one eighth of an inch. Rap on the old hive, and 
