24 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



This may also be repeated, for the purpose of adding a 

 third Swarm to the other two. 



Lest any one should want faith, however, in these me- 

 thods of joining Swarms, we will add the directions given 

 by Mr. Thorley^ for the purpose, which, though attended 

 with some more trouble, appears to be perfectly practi- 

 cable. 



He directs that the Bees should be first stupified with 

 the smoke of the dried mushroom, found in the fields, which 

 is commonly called Puff-ball. It is first to be compressed, 

 and then dried in an oven till it will retain fire. 



The hives intended to be joined are to be placed with 

 their bottoms over two empty ones, when a piece of puff 

 set on fire is to be placed under each full hive, so that the 

 smoke will ascend into them ; and, when the Bees have 

 become stupified, let the full hives be knocked gently on 

 the sides, and the Bees will fall into the empty ones in a 

 torpid state ; when one of the Queens is to be searched for 

 and killed. 



The two Swarms are then to be mixed together, and 

 droped in among the combs of one of the hives, and set 

 away where that hive stood. The entrance into it is to be 

 covered with a cloth, to prevent their geting out. Let the 

 hive into which they are put be first examined, to see if it 

 contains a sufficiency of honey for both Swarms. 



The second day alter their union, remove the cloth, in 

 the dusk of the evening, and they will sally forth ; but, on 

 account of approaching night, will soon return. Keep 

 them confined three or four days, leting them out in the 

 evening, as before, and then the cloth may be removed. 



Swarms may also be divided, in order to increase the 

 number; and this is to be done before the usual time of 

 swarming, or when brood is in the hives, which is about 

 the time the trees are in blossom. Three or four pieces of 

 comb, having brood in them, are to be cut out, and placed, 

 in rackwork, in an empty hive, in the same position as 

 when taken out; then take, say, 500 Bees from another 

 hive, and put them into this, and close it up, and keep it in 

 a place where the temperature is moderate. 



Violent agitation will ensue among these Bees ; then si- 

 lence; then still louder noise: But, after the second day, 

 they will begin to construct the Royal Cell. On the fourth 

 or fifth day the hive may be carried into the garden, and 

 the prisoners suffered to escape, which they will quickly 

 do; but in about two hours they will return, and in due 

 season bring forth the new Queen. This requires about 

 fifteen days, and during that time the Bees should have 

 honey, sufficient for their subsistence, given to them every 

 other day. 



