254 FORCED SWARMING. 



WHEN SUCCESSFUL. 



If this forcing operation is performed when the 

 hive is about to swarm, it will generally succeed ; 

 for, at this time, a large proportion of the brood is 

 sealed up ; the hive being also well stored with pro- 

 visions, leaves but little work to be done until the 

 young queen enters upon her duties. By that time, 

 all the brood (progeny of the previous queen) will 

 have emerged, and will be of age to assume the du- 

 ties of nurses, etc., of the young progeny. The bees 

 composing the forced swarm being removed at this 

 time, will be well provided with wax, and if pastur- 

 age is abundant, will thrive equally as well as a nat- 

 ural swarm. 



But where a forced swarm is made from a hive not 

 prepared to swarm, and having much unsealed brood, 

 the success will be very uncertain, both as regards 

 the old hive and driven swarm ; for the young larvae 

 receive, as soon as hatched, a minute supply of food, 

 and as they grow, the quantity is increased so as to 

 exactly supply their wants. 



This food is prepared by the nurses, and supplied 

 at short intervals until they are sealed. But if this 

 supply is interrupted, even for a short time, the young 

 will die from starvation ; or if left without the influ- 

 ence of the hovering bees, they are very liable to 

 perish from exposure. 



A further objection to this plan is the interruption 

 and derangement of the division of labor. 



There is always a limited number of bees secret- 



