ft 



AND CATTLE DOCTOR. 255 



and not finish till October ; and when their numbers 

 are much increased they show indication of swarming, 

 by their clustering in great quantities below the rest- 

 ing board. 



They never rise but on a fair day, and sometimes 

 will settle, and for some cause return to the stock, 

 probably for want of a queen being with them. Some 

 hives will cast three times, but mostly only twice. The 

 second cast may be expected within three or four days, 

 and never later than ten days after the first. Should 

 a stock overswarm itself it will perish, unless strength- 

 ened ; this may be ascertained by observing the 

 quantity of bees afterwards seen to enter. It is ne- 

 cessary in the swarming season from April to July, 

 particularly in May and June, to observe the hives 

 on a fine day ; in general the bees issue forth about 

 noon — from nine to two o'clock or about three in the 

 afternoon. 



/ 

 To hive hees. 



Bee keepers should have spare hives by them, pre- 

 pared to hive the bees as soon as they are settled : for 

 should the sun shine hot on the swarm it may take 

 another flight and may possibly be lost entirely. The 

 manner of hiving them must be regulated by the na- 

 ture of the place on which they settle. The custom 

 of preparing hives varies ; a clean new hive only re- 

 quires the loose straw to be rubbed off with a cloth ; 

 if any dressing be used, fennel dipped in ale and sugar 

 will best answer the purpose. Have ready a cloth 

 whereon to place the hive, and a wedge to raise it ; if 

 the swarm should settle on a branch, shake the best 

 part of it into the hive, place it on the cloth on the 

 ground, and continue to disturb the swarm where it 



