288 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



has been proved from observation, that the average percentage of 

 swarms have been twenty-four in May, sixty in June, fourteen in July, 

 and two in August; from which it will appear that June is the principal 

 month for swarming, in ordinary seasons; and it is in June and July 

 that the greatest quantities of honey are stored up by the bees, when 

 nianaged in a judicious manner. 



" When the swarming is assisted and encouraged during June and 

 July, the old stocks are considerably weakened, and the swarms are em- 

 ployed in building combs in their new hives, collecting pollen, and at- 

 tending to the young brood, until the best part of the honey-storing 

 season is over; so that, at the honey harvest in autumn, it will fre- 

 quently require the contents of five or six old stocks, or late swarms, to 

 produce as much pure honey as might have been obtained from one 

 colony on the system of management which is recommended." 



In collateral boxes, and in capped hives, swarming may be prevented 

 by affording the bees additional accommodation, and reducing the tem- 

 perature ; and, for this end, it is recommended, by most apiarians, that 

 the hive or box should be furnished with a thermometer as well as 

 ventilator. We think, however, that even those who do not possess 

 these accommodations may manage well enough by proper observation 

 and attention to the symptoms we have detailed. When these appear 

 in a collateral box-hive, open one of the partitions, and admit the bees 

 into a new apartment; if all be full, take off a box, empty and restore 

 it. In the case of a capped hive, remove the bung, and admit the bees 

 to the cap ; if full, remove, empty, and restore it. On this subject Mr. 

 Briggs says : 



"The most favorable degrees of heat for the prosperity of the brood 

 are from 75° to 90° in the stock hive, and from 65° to 75° in the side 

 boxes. The heat in a prosperous hive is sometimes upward of 70° at 

 Christmas, and will, in hot summer weather, sometimes rise to near 

 120°, at which time the combs are in great danger of being damaged, 

 and of falling to the tioor of the hive; this may, however, be prevented, 

 by giving extra room when required, and by shading the hives from 

 extreme heat, as previously directed. It should always be borne in mind 

 that all operations with bees should be performed as carefully and as 

 speedily as circumstances will permit. The late Mr. T. Nutt remarked, 

 in a conversation with him a few months previous to his decease, 'that 

 in removing boxes, glasses, slides, etc., the apiarian should proceed in a 

 manner so steady and cautious, that the bees should scarcely know that 

 their habitation had been meddled with ;' in which remarks I fully con- 

 cur." 



After having a new swarm, you must also recollect, that if unfavorable 

 weather follow their departure, you must feed them, otherwise they will 

 be starved ; indeed, it would he well if each new swarm were always 

 fed for a few days, as this will assist them in gaining strength in num- 

 bers and in store, before the principal part of the honey season goes 

 over. In conclusion we would merely say, that the weight of a good 

 swarm should be from five to seven pounds, and that all under five 

 pounds in weight should be united to others, as being too weak in num- 

 bers to support themselves. 



