HOW TO KEEP BEES FOR PROFIT 



to the season, and the reasons for swarming 

 are as follows. Brood is present in large 

 numbers in the hive, the blossoms in the field 

 are yielding up a heavy tribute of nectar, and 

 under these conditions the colony becomes 

 overcrowded and makes preparations to 

 decamp. An examination of the brood nest 

 just before a colony swarms shows us prac- 

 tically every cell occupied with honey, pollen, 

 and brood, and, realizing that no further work 

 can be done in such crowded quarters, the 

 colony decides that it is time to seek another 

 home. In some mysterious way this idea is 

 passed from one bee to another until all obey 

 it. 



Fortunately for the beekeeper, however, 

 the colony usually gives some premonitory 

 signs of its intention to swarm, and these if 

 heeded will enable one to head them off and 

 in many cases break up the fever entirely. 



Often for several days before swarming the 

 bees will cluster in large numbers on the front 

 of the hive, and an examination of the brood 



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