An acquaintance had purchased a lot of bees in very large hives, and called on me to know what to do with them, as he feared such would not swarm well in consequence; I told him it would be doubtful, unless he cut them off to the right size.
"Cut 'em off! how can that be done? there is bees in 'em."
"So I expected, but it can be done nearly as well as if empty."
"But don't you get stung dreadfully?"
"Not often: if it is to be done in warm weather, I smoke them well before I begin; in very cold weather is the best time, then it is unnecessary; simply turn the hive bottom up, mark off the proper size, and with a sharp saw take it off without trouble."
"Some are filled with combs; you don't cut off such, do you?"
"Certainly; I consider all the room for combs in a hive over 2,000 inches as worse than lost."
"What will you ask to cut mine off? If I could see it done once, I might do it next time."
"The charge will be light; but if you intend to keep bees, you should learn to do everything pertaining to them, and not be dependent on any one; I did it before I ever saw or heard of its being done." I then gave him full directions how to manage, but could not persuade him to undertake.
HOW LARGE HIVES CAN BE MADE SMALLER.