Swarm Control. 9 
bedding the foundation, and having the combs built under favorable 
conditions. In extracted honey production much can be done to im- 
prove the character of the combs used in the brood-chamber by sort- 
ing out all imperfect ones for use only in the supers. Some bee- 
keepers use special methods of wiring the frames by which the 
stretching of cells in the upper portion of the combs may be largely 
overcome. If brood is extended in new combs to the top bar of the 
frames during the first season, the combs are so strengthened by the 
cocoons that there is less tendency for them to stretch subsequently 
and cause misshapen cells in the upper portion. 
Good combs so arranged that the brood-nest may be expanded 
without interruption until the maximum of the spring brood-rearing 
has been reached go a long way toward the prevention of swarming. 
Nevertheless, for reasons given later, these do not of themselves in- 
sure that there will be no swarming. 
SPACE WITHIN THE HIVE. 
Space that is not occupied by comb, especially within the brood- 
chamber, may influence the tendency to swarm. A deep space be- 
tween the bottoms of the frames and the floor of the hive 1s un- 
doubtedly advantageous in hot weather. This space may be as much 
as seven-eighths inch, with little or no trouble from the bees build- 
ing comb below the frames unless they are badly crowded for room. 
Some beekeepers use a space 2 inches deep or more, but put under the 
frames a slatted rack to prevent the bees building comb there. This 
affords a large amount of room for the field bees during the night 
and also provides abundant opportunity for ventilation during the 
heat of the day. 
Some extra space can be provided within the brood-chamber by 
spacing the brood frames farther apart. The bees will increase the 
thickness of that portion of the combs which contains honey, but they 
do not increase the thickness of that portion which contains brood, 
and the spaces between the combs are accordingly wider within the 
brood area. If the frames are spaced too far apart, however, the bees 
may build a thin comb between. Combs are usually spaced from 13 
to 14 inches from center to center. The principle of wider spacing 
of brood-combs has been utilized in the construction of a nonswarm- 
ing hive in which the combs are separated about an inch and slatted 
frames are inserted between the combs to prevent the bees from build- 
ing in this space, but such hives have not come into general use. 
VENTILATION. 
Large entrances reduce the tendency to swarm by adding to the 
comfort of the bees during hot weather. Bees need much more 
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