The best time for performing this operation is about the middle of the day, and when the weather is warm. It is essential that the operator be protected with a bee-dress and gloves, as before described; and previous to commencing his task, he must provide all necessary implements. These are:--a couple of hives, one of which should correspond in shape and size with the hive from which the bees are to be driven; a cloth to tie round at the junction when the new hive is placed on the old one; some string to keep the cloth in its place; an empty pail to receive the top of the old hive, if one of the old conical shape, but if the stock of bees is in a square box hive with a flat top, a firm stool will be the best; and a No. 12 fumigator with some fungus, which will complete the material of war. The bucket or stool must be placed securely on the ground about a yard from the place where the full hive stands; then a few puff's of smoke being blown in amongst the bees, will cause them to retreat up amongst the combs. The bee-master will now turn the hive[6] upside down very gently, letting it rest in the pail or on the stool; he then quickly places the empty hive over the full one, and ties the cloth round it to prevent any escape of the bees. If the cloth be damped, it will cling the closer to the hives. The third hive is intended to be placed on the stand formerly occupied by the stock, so as to retain the few returning bees which had been absent in the fields. Care must be taken that all crevices through which it is possible for the bees to escape from the united hives should be effectually closed. When the two are fairly united, the operator will proceed by rapping the full hive gently with the hands or a couple of sticks, more particularly on that side where the combs are the most thickly placed--that is, if the hive be not equally filled. [Footnote 6: Care should be exercised in turning the hives over to keep the combs vertical, or they are likely to break from their foundations.]