280 QUEENS OF SECOND SWARMS JUNCTION. 



ing, we speak of general cases, for it is demonstrated 

 by Mr. Huish, that a very good stock may be formed 

 by the union of second swarms. It, however, sel- 

 dom happens, except in very extensive apiaries, 

 that two second swarms come off at the same time, 

 so as to enable the Apiarian to take advantage of 

 the junction, and it is on such points that the whole 

 skill of the proprietor must be put forth. The fol- 

 lowing particulars must principally occupy his atten- 

 tion the size of the swarm the earliness or late- 

 ness of the season the richness or poverty of the 

 country in food all of which must be more or less 

 consulted in the management of second swarms. 

 In the majority of cases, it would contribute to the 

 interest of the proprietor, and also to the prosperity 

 of the parent hive, to destroy the queens of the 

 second swarms, and return her emigrant subjects to 

 their original domicile nor is this operation at- 

 tended with any difficulty. Second swarms are sel- 

 dom large, and whilst the bees are in a cluster on 

 the place of their swarming, it will be a very easy 

 task to take the queen bee a prisoner, but by no 

 means should the captor immediately become a regi- 

 cide. Confine her for a day under a tumbler, or other 

 similar vessel, and in the meantime, return the bees to 

 the parent hive. A few hours will determine if their 

 former companions will receive them hospitably, 

 and if such be the case, (and the contrary very 

 seldom happens) the murder of the imprisoned 

 queen must be the consequence. Instances are 

 by no means rare, in which second swarms have 

 individually prospered well, and have collected 



