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.