PREPARATIONS FOR HIVING. 237 



cluster on the outside of the hive during the very 

 warm weather, jet it does not indicate swarming. 



SIGNS OP AFTER-SWARMING. 



There is but one sign or indication of after-swarm- 

 ing that proves true in a majority of cases, and that 

 is " piping." On the seventh or eighth day after the 

 first has departed, on applying the ear to the hive, 

 the piping of a young queen is heard, resembling the 

 sound of the words pea-pe-pe-pe, spoken in succes- 

 sion in a pitiful manner : sometimes two, or even three 

 may be heard at a time. When this piping is heard, 

 it is usual for a hive to swarm in from one to three 

 days. 



PREPARATIONS FOR HIVING. 



Hives should always be in readiness and at hand 

 during the swarming season. Care should be taken 

 to have them clean and free from any offensive smell 

 which may exist when they have stood for any length 

 of time unoccupied; this is best done by scalding 

 them effectually, which will not only purify, but will 

 also destroy all insects and eggs which may exist in 

 their interior. 



A stool about two feet square, and fifteen inches 

 high, is the most convenient thing to place the hive 

 upon while gathering the swarm into it ; in the ab- 

 sence of which, a broad board or a sheet spread upon 

 the ground, will answer a very good purpose. 



