Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/220

216 containing brood, must be carefully preserved. The upper box in storied hives is then free from brood, and may easily be removed, not only without present detriment to the inmates, but almost without their knowledge. The modus operandi will be pointed out afterwards. It is not impracticable to accomplish deprivation with the common straw-hive; but it is attended with so much difficulty, and is so liable to failure, that it is seldom attempted. The mode of proceeding, however, as recommended and practised by Wildman, is to remove the full hive into a darkened room, and by repeated strokes on the outside, to force the bees to ascend into an empty one, placed immediately above the other; after which the deprived bees are removed to their usual stand in the apiary. In the mean time the operator, with a thin pliable knife, cuts out the full combs, and scrapes off with a spoon what may have escaped the knife; he then returns the bees to their old hive. To the great mass of those who cultivate bees, this operation appears troublesome and dangerous; and where it is attempted, it often fails, from the desire of appropriating too large a share of the stores, and from the destruction of the brood-combs. In certain circumstances, however, the operation, when done judiciously, may, even with straw-hives, be done with safety; and that is when the deprived hives are to be immediately removed to the vicinity of heath. Change of pasture is most advantageous to these insects at this season; for while the flowers in one district have entirely faded, those of another may be in