which
time most of the bees are out, gathering their harvest. The comb is to
be cut through by means of a piece of iron wire, and the old hive
separated from the new one. An assistant must immediately place the
cover, which should be previously fitted, upon the top of the new one.
The old hive is then to be taken to the distance of twenty or thirty
yards, and placed firm upon a bench or table, but so as to leave a free
space both above and below. The holes at the top being opened, one of
the new boxes is to be placed on the top of the old hive, having the
cover loosely fastened on it; and is to be done in such a manner, by
closing the intervals between them with linen cloths, that the bees on
going out by the holes on the top of the old hive can only go into the
new one. But in order to drive the bees into the new hive, some live
coals must be placed under the old one, upon which some linen may be
thrown, to produce a volume of smoke; and the bees feeling the
annoyance, will ascend to the top of the old hive, and at length will go
through the holes into the new one. When they have nearly all entered,
it is to be removed gently from the old hive, and placed under the box
already mentioned, the top or cover having been taken off. If it should
appear the next morning that the two boxes, of which the new hive is now
composed, do not afford sufficient room for the bees, a third or fourth
box may be added, under the others, as their work goes on, changing them
from time to time so long as the season permits the bees to gather wax
and honey. When a new swarm is to be hived, the boxes prepared as above
and proportioned to the size of the swarm, are to be brought near the
place where the bees have settled. The upper box with the cover upon it,
must be taken from the others. The cross bars at the top should be
smeared with honey and water, the doors must be closed, the box turned
upside down, and held under the swarm, which is then to be shaken into
it as into a common hive. When the whole swarm is in the box, it is to
be carried to the other boxes, previously placed in their destined
situation, and carefully put upon them. The interstices are to be closed
with cement, and all the little doors closed, except the lowest, through
which the bees are to pass. The hive should be shaded from the sun for a
few days, that the bees may not be tempted to leave their new
habitation. It is more advantageous however to form artificial swarms,