We frequently find that the possessor of a stock of bees in a cottager's common straw hive is desirous of removing the whole stock of bees and comb into one of our improved hives, in which the honey may be obtained without the destruction of the bees. We mostly discourage such a transfer, attended as it is with much labour, and requiring a considerable amount of apiarian skill. An old fashioned hive may very readily be rendered a humane one, simply by cutting out with a sharp pointed knife the middle of the top of the hive; a piece may thus easily be taken out, so as to leave a round hole two or three inches in diameter, but care must be taken that the knife does not penetrate much below the straw, lest it reach the comb or the bees--and it will be safer for the operator to have a bee-dress on. There should be ready a round adapting board, with a corresponding hole, which may be secured on the top by putting four long nails through the same number of holes in the board; then a cap hive or a glass may be placed on the top, for the purpose of admitting the bees, who will soon crowd therein to work. This hive or glass will form a super or depriving hive, and can be worked as profitably as most of the improved hives. Per the sake of an improved appearance, an outside case, either of zinc, straw, or wood, may be dropped over all, and then, if well painted, the whole will form no disfigurement to any flower garden. This is beyond doubt the easiest way of overcoming the difficulty, but as it may not satisfy all, we now proceed to describe how a complete transfer may be made. No hive offers such facilities for the correct placing of the combs in a perfectly upright position as does the bar and frame hive. As before remarked, we should be slow to recommend any one to attempt the operation who is not already pretty well accustomed to the handling of bees and acquainted with their habits; but by carefully carrying out the following directions any one may successfully perform the feat. The first thing is to get the bees away from the combs; there are two ways of doing this, one is by fumigation (see page 60), the other by driving (see page 84). Whichever plan may be resorted to, have the bees confined in the old hive on their stand until you are quite ready to admit them into the bar and frame hive. Have in readiness all the necessary appliances: these consist of a large knife for cutting the hive, a good sized table on which to lay the brood combs, a basin of water--for washing off honey which may besmear the hands,--tape or cotton string to fasten the combs in their frames, a pair of honey cutters for cutting out the combs, jars to hold the honey that runs out, and a feather for brushing off any bees that may remain. It is necessary that the operator should have on his bee-dress, and India-rubber gloves. Then begin by slicing off a piece of the hive with a sharp table knife; carefully cut out the working