The bees usually manifest their submission by a loud humming noise. If after you commence operations (before you get the side of the hive off) they show a disposition to be cross, replace the bottom board, close the entrances, if open, and give the insects a good smoking, at the entrances, and by raising the bottom board enough to introduce the smoke; give them the smoke freely for several minutes. Then again remove the bottom board. (These directions apply to the common box hive. If hives of a different pattern are operated upon, vary the operation to conform to the requirements of the case, applying the same principles.) Then with a chisel and hammer remove one side of the hive (the side to which the bees have attached the least comb,) and with a thin, sharp table-knife, cut the edges of the comb from the sides of the hive. It is well to have a table or stand near by, with a cloth folded in several thicknesses, on which to lay the sheets of comb with the bees adhering, if necessary. The cloth prevents crushing. Cut out a comb from the hive with the bees adhering, and cut off the edges, if required, so it will fit the new frame closely at the top and bottom. No matter if it does not go the whole length of the frame from front to rear, as the bees will finish it.[12] Have the comb occupy the same position, relatively, in the new hive, that it did in the old. When the comb is in place in the frame, secure it by putting the wooden pins through the holes in the frames into the combs, and having fastened it firmly in place by means of the pins, place it in the Controllable Hive in its proper position. [Footnote 12: But very few hives are large enough for their combs to fill the movable comb frames of the Controllable Hive.] Tims proceed, till all the frames of the Controllable Hive are filled, or the comb in the old hive is exhausted. In transferring, very old, black combs should be discarded even if you do not have your new hive more than half full. Get all the bees, it possible, in the new hive, and when you set it on the stand, close the lower entrance entirely, and let the upper one remain only one-half open, for a few days, until the bees get well located in their new home. Be careful not to crush any of the bees, and take special care not to injure the queen. As you will probably complete the operation of transferring at about the time that bees will be flying briskly about the other hives, it will be better to put wire cloth over the entrances, to confine the bees you have transferred, and let them remain in the out-building until about an hour before sunset; then set them on the stand and give them their liberty. Keeping them shut up for the time named, gives them a chance to take up the honey which runs from the transferred combs, and which might, if the bees were carried immediately to the stand, incite robbing.