PRIMARY SWARM. 223 



be cut with sharp pruning-shears, without jarring the swarm, 

 or damaging the value of the tree, they may be gently carried 

 on it to the hiving-sheet, in front of their new home. If they 

 seem at all reluctant to enter it, gently scoop up a few of them 

 with a large spoon, or a leafy twig, or even with the fingers 

 (72), and shake them close to its entrance. As they go in 

 with fanning wings, they will raise a peculiar note, which 

 communicates to their companions the joyful news that they 

 have found a home; and in a short time the whole swarm will 

 enter, without injury to a single bee. 



When bees are once shaken dow^l on the sheet, they are 

 quite unwilling to take wing again; for, being loaded with 

 honey, they desire, like heavily-armed troops, to march slowly 

 and sedately to their place of encampment. 



429. AMien they alight on a high limb, which cannot be 

 reached, or when the limb is too valuable to be sacrificed, the 

 swarm can be hived by using a light box or swarm-sack, at 



the end of a pole of proper length. 

 This swarm-sack (fig. 96) is made of 

 strong muslin, about two feet deep, 

 fastened around a wire hoop, about 

 one foot in diameter, and is similar 

 to a butterfly net. A piece of braid 

 SWARM-SACK. IS scwcd at the bottom, inside and 



^ ^^' ^^' outside, to help in emptying it. When 



the sack is placed under the swarm, the bees are suddenly 

 shaken into it by a single tap on the limb. Hold the sack 

 firmly, as the sudden weight will draw it down in a most un- 

 expected manner. To prevent the bees from escaping, hold 

 the handle perpendicularly, as this will close the opening of 

 the bag instantly. 



430. In bringing it to the hive, and turning it inside out, 

 by holding the braid with the fingers, some care must be exer- 

 cised, as this unceremonious imprisoning of the bees is apt to 

 cause some to be angiy. A little smoke (382) should be used, 



