22 
cluster more closely together, out the limb carefully off 
with a sharp knife or saw, according to the size of the 
limb, having your hive in readiness by placing it on the 
ground or table, elevating the front side two or three in- 
ches by placing some little blocks or stones under the 
corners, shake the bees down in front of it, sprinkling 
them gently with cold water, in the course of half an 
hour most of them will enter the hive. Should they 
light upon any favorite shrub or tree that you do not 
wish to cut, the hive must be placed directly over them 
and let them go up into it, or invert your hive, and by 
the aid of an assistant to hold it under the bees shake 
them into it ; having a cloth ready to spread over the 
mouth of the hive, carrying them immediately to the 
stand where they are to remain during the summer, turn- 
ing them carefully right side up, leaving the cloth under 
till evening, when it can be removed with safety. 
HOW TO HIVE A SWARM OF BEES IN LESS THAN 
HALF A MINUTE IN KIDDER’S COM- 
FOUND HIVE. 
This is a very essential point in swarming time, espe- 
cially if you keep many stocks, for bees frequently come 
out from'different hives about the same time, and unless 
prevented, two or three swarms will join together and 
put the bee-master to serious inconvenience, which is 
usually overcome by putting them into dry goods boxes, 
salt barrels, nail kegs, sap buckets, &e. 
All this is overcome by the use of my hives. We 
will now suppose a swarm just issuing from the parent 
stock, get your hive in readiness while the bees are 
alighting ; as soon ns they are well clustered sprinkle 
them well with cold water ; now shake them into the 
