248 ARTIFICIAL SWARMIN).. 



this jiew colony. Keiiiove to a new stand in tiie apiary a 

 second stock— which call S— and put A in its place. 



Thousands of the bees that belong to B, as they return 

 from the fields, will enter A, which thus secures enough to 

 develop the brood, and rear a new queen. In fact, this col- 

 ony often becomes so strong, by the help of the field work- 

 ers of B, as well as through its own constantly' hatching bees, 

 that there is some danger of its casting off a swarm when 

 the first young queen hatches, unless again divided at that 

 time. 



474. It is quite amusing to observe the actions of the 

 bees that return to their old stand, when their homes have 

 been exchanged as above. 



If the strange hive is like their own in size and outward 

 appearance, they go in as though all was right, but soon 

 rush out in violent agitation, imagming that by some unae- 

 comi table mistake, they have entered the w^rong place. Tak- 

 mg wing to correct their blunder, they find, to their increas- 

 ing surprise, that they had directed their flight to the proper 

 spot; again they enter, and again they tumble out, in bewil- 

 dered crowds, until at length, if they find a queen or the 

 means of raismg one, they make up their mmds that if the 

 strange hive is not home, it looks like it, stands where it ought 

 to be, and is, at all events, the only home they are likely to 

 get. No doubt they often feel that a very hard bargain has 

 been imposed upon them, but they are generally wise enough 

 to make the best of it. They will be altogether too much dis- 

 concerted to quarrel with any bees that were left in the hive 

 when it was forced, and these on their part give them a wel- 

 come reception, especially if they come in with a hea^y load. 



This method of artificial swarming will not weaken either 

 of the mother-colonies. If B had been first forced, and then 

 removed, it would have been seriously injured: but as it loses 

 fewer bees than if it had swarmed, and retains its queen, it 

 will soon become almost as powerful as before it was re- 

 moved. 



