MANNER OF TAKING HONEY.
At noon, upon a clear fine day, pass either a very thin knife or fine wire between the hive and the glass intended to be taken. If this precaution be neglected, a piece of comb is frequently left projecting from the top of the one left, or the bottom of that taken, which will cause much trouble to the operator. Two adapting-boards (see [page 8]) placed between the hive and the glass will be found very convenient, for the knife or wire will then only have to be passed between them, and the danger of breaking the combs thus be obviated.
To Expel the Bees from the Glass.—The glass must be lifted very gently, kept in the same position, and placed upon three inverted flower-pots, or something of the kind, in a shaded place, about 30 or 40 yards from the hive, and the Bees will make their escape in about ten or fifteen minutes. Gentleness, as I have before said, is very necessary in this, as in all other operations with Bees; indeed, it is the only means of accomplishing the end desired: therefore, remove the glass very gently, and place it about 6 inches above the ground on bricks or flower-pots, as above. Shaking, beating, or burning paper under it, have all a contrary effect than that desired upon the Bees: they are alarmed by this, and will not leave the glass for hours, and, perhaps, days when these means are resorted to. The glass being thus placed, a loud humming noise is first heard, and the Bees are then seen to leave it, and in five or six minutes all, except a few stragglers that may be brushed out with a feather, will have left it: but should the queen be in the glass, which very rarely happens, quite a different appearance presents itself—no noise will be heard, nor a Bee scarcely seen to leave it; but the hive from which it has been taken will, in a very short time, appear in great confusion. Whenever this occurs the glass must be returned immediately, and taken off again the next day. When a glass or box of honey is taken, it must not be left till the Bees are all out of it, for it is very likely to be attacked by robbers, and a great part of it carried away in a short time. Robbers may be known by their endeavouring to enter the glass or box, while the Bees belonging to it, being separated from their queen, fly home immediately upon leaving it. I have frequently found it necessary, in order to prevent robbers from attacking the glass, to remove it from place to place every four or five minutes, or to take the glass into a darkened room, so that a small portion of light is admitted through a hole which communicates with the open air.