14 
AN EASY METHOD OF 
cause of melting the combs in summer, or 
freezing the bees in winter. To preserve the 
greatest uniformity of temperature in the 
hive, both summer and winter, the apiarian 
will find it for his interest to make all his hives 
of plank at least one and a half inch thick, or 
boards three-fourths of an inch thick, doubled 
in such a manner as to exclude insects from 
the joints. 
RULE II. 
ON SWARMING AND HIVING. * 
The apiarian, or bee-owner, should have 
his hives in readiness, and in their places in 
the apiary, with the drawers in their cham- 
bers, bottom up, so as to prevent entrance. 
When a swarm comes forth, and has alight- 
ed, cut oft’ the limb, if convenient, (unless the 
hiver is used) — shake it gently, so as to disen- 
gage the bees, and let them fall gently on to 
the table, board or ground, (as the case may 
be,) — place the hive over them before many 
rise into the air, taking care at the same time 
to lay one or more sticks in such a manner as 
to raise the hive so as to give the bees rapid 
ingress and egress. If the bees act reluctant- 
