PURCHASE REMOVAL SWARMS. 275 



wax. Of the latter, one pound and a half per hive 

 is the usual product. *> 



In the year 1 822, remarkable for early honey ga- 

 thering, several Oxfordshire Apiarians had stocks, 

 the gross weight of which was sixty to sixty-seven 

 pounds. In Lincolnshire, seven swarms were ob- 

 tained from two old hives : that is to say, two top 

 swarms, two second swarms, and from the two top 

 swarms, two virgin swarms, and from the latter a 

 second virgin swarm. The first swarm was hived 

 May 2, the last June 27. Another hive threw out 

 four swarms within sixteen days. 



The object next to purchase, is the REMOVAL of the 

 bargain homewards, which is always effected most 

 conveniently and safely by water-carriage. In those 

 cases wherein recourse must be had to land-car- 

 riage, it is managed by two men, having a pole be- 

 tween them, upon which the hive, wrapped in a 

 sheet, is slung. But the most convenient method of 

 removal is by a common hand-barrow, by means of 

 which several hives may be removed at the same 

 time ; previously to which, however, the utmost 

 caution should be used in stopping up every cre- 

 vice or aperture by which a single bee can make its 

 escape. Mr. Huish mentions an instance in which 

 this precaution being not sufficiently attended to, the 

 active little insects discovered an aperture whence 

 they effected their escape ; and the consequence was 

 a furious attack on the porters, who very unceremo- 

 niously threw down their burthen, and the total 

 destruction of the hives was the result. Previously 

 to removal, the entrance of the hive should be closed 



N6 



