87 
hive over the false hive or half bushel either square or 
corner ways, then fold the sheet lengthwise two or three 
times, and wind around where the two come together and 
by the use of the rope with a slip noose in one end, bind 
the two firmly together so the bees cannot get out, then 
take them to some shady place where the table, new 
hive, and the other fixings are prepared. Then turn the 
hive bottom side up, bring the false hive on the top, then 
drum on the old hive 25 or 80 minutes with a couple 
of sticks one inch in diameter, this will cause the bees to 
gorge themselves with honey and cluster in the box or 
half bushel. The sheet should then be spread upon the 
ground, on which place the box or false hive containing 
the bee, under which place a bit of stick, so as to give 
them plenty of air. 
Then by the use of a saw (or what would be still 
better a honoy knife) loosen the combs from one side of 
the hive, then with an ax split off in sections that side of 
the hive so the combs can be taken out as near whole as 
possible so they will fill the frames. The operator by 
the help of a long bladed honey knife should loosen the 
comb and lift it out and by the help of an assistant 
wing the few scattering bees upon the sheet near the 
false hive which they will readily enter. The comb should 
then be laid upon the table and the frame placed over it 
in such away that the comb will come the same side up 
that it formerly occupied in the old hive, and by the 
use of a sharp knife cut around the comb inside of the 
frame that they will fit them tightly, and by winding 
the twine around the frame both ways and tieing it fast 
to one end of the frame ; then place within the new hive 
and continue to do so until all the suitable combs are 
thus transferred, always observing to leave out all the 
drone comb and only put in such comb as contains youug 
