118 SWARMING. 



further adds, that on examining two weak hives, 

 in March and April, he found not a single egg. 

 From these very opposite states Dr. EVANS infers 

 the great importance of leaving stocks strong in 

 October, and feeding them in an ungenial autumn, 

 conceiving that the bees apportion the numbers of 

 their young to the means they possess of support- 

 ing them. That 



" The prescient Female rears her tender brood 

 In strict proportion to the hoarded food." 



This, however, does not correspond with what will 

 be stated below ; from which it will appear, that 

 the queen sometimes lays eggs, in reliance upon 

 an approaching season, and does not let the num- 

 ber altogether depend upon the stock of provision 

 in the hive. The commencement of the queen's 

 breeding may generally be known, by the bees car- 

 rying in pellets of farina on their thighs. For want 

 of a sufficient supply of this, as must happen in 

 cold unkindly seasons, many of the nymphs are 

 cast out, having died probably from actual star- 

 vation. Hence the necessity, as before stated, of 

 having in the immediate neighbourhood of the 

 hives such early blossoming trees and flowers as 

 afford plenty o i farina; and also late blossoming 

 ones, that the bees may be enabled to lay in a store 

 of it, ready for spring. 



Swarming may take place at any time between 

 the beginning of April and the latter end of Au- 



