Mr. A. I. Root's idea of having sawdust under and about the hives is, I think, a good one. The hives of the Michigan Agricultural College (Fig. 53) are protected by ever-greens, trimmed close on the north side. A space four feet by six, north of the shrubs, was then dug out to a depth of four inches, and filled with sawdust (Fig. 53, _f_), underlying which were old bricks, so that nothing would grow up through the sawdust. The sawdust thus extends one foot back, or west of the hive, three feet north, and the same distance to the east or front side of the hive. This makes it neat about the hive, and largely removes the danger of losing the queen in handling the bees; as should she fall outside the hive, the sharp-sighted apiarist would be very likely indeed to see her. Mr. J. H. Nellis, the able Secretary of the North-Eastern Bee-Keepers' Association, objects to sawdust, as he thinks it rots too quickly, and blows about badly. He would use sand or gravel instead. I have tried both gravel and sawdust, and prefer the latter, as explained above. By having the sawdust a little below the general surface, and adding a little once in four or five years, it keeps all nice and agreeable. After the ever-greens are well started, all the space between the sawdust areas should be in grass, and kept neatly mown. This takes but a little time, and makes the apiary always pleasant and inviting. [Illustration: Fig. 53.] CHAPTER VII. TO TRANSFER BEES. As you may have purchased your bees in box hives, and so, of course, will desire to transfer them immediately into movable-frame hives, or, as already suggested, you may wish to transfer from one movable-frame to another, I will now proceed to describe the process.