HEN honey is produced on an extensive scale 
it becomes necessary to distribute the colonies 
of bees in several apiaries to avoid overstocking. A 
serious problem when bees are kept in out-apiaries 
is the control of swarming. 
Swarm control is less difficult in the production of 
extracted -honey than of comb-honey. It is less 
troublesome in some locations than in others and 
during some seasons than during others. The rea- 
sons for these differences are important in the devis- 
ing of measures for swarm prevention. 
The tendency to swarm can be reduced by the in- 
troduction of superior stock, by the use of well- 
arranged hives and good combs, and by management 
which prevents a congestion of bees in the brood- 
nest. Swarming, therefore, can be prevented to a 
large extent by proper equipment and management. 
The conditions which reduce the congestion in the 
brood-nest (preventive measures) are at the same 
time the conditions which induce the bees to work 
with the greatest energy in gathering nectar. When 
remedial measures are employed, the manipulation 
is such that the colony is thrown into a condition 
comparable either to the swarm or to the parent 
colony in nature. 
These and other phases of the swarming problem 
are discussed in this bulletin. 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology 
L. O. HOWARD, Chief 
Washington, D. C. June, 1921 
