A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



the winter, they will come out strong in the 

 spring, the queen will start laying again, and 

 each day thousands of bees will be born, 

 soon causing the hive to be so vastly crowded 

 that the old queen and a swarm will issue 

 from the parent hive, leaving the young col- 

 ony in possession of the home and stores. 



If the old queen has had her wings prop- 

 erly clipped the season before, she will not be 

 able to fly, so will be found on the ground 

 near the hive with a group of bees around her, 

 and the principal swarm not very far away. 

 Approach very quietly, and place a small 

 wire trap over the queen (the traps are 

 sold by all bee supply firms, and cost 25 

 cents, I think). Then place the trap in the 

 opening of the hive you desire the swarm to 

 occupy, cautiously approach the full swarm, 

 and with a soft broom sweep the bees into 

 the hive, if the position they occupy makes 

 it possible, as in the picture. If not, use a 

 box or pan and carry them to the hive, and 

 empty them in front. They will soon com- 



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