136 HIVING OF SWARMS. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

 HIVING OF SWARMS. 



THE hiving of bees is a proceeding so well known 

 that it seems unnecessary to offer any observations 

 on the particular method of effecting it. 



In every apiary there should be a stock of hives, 

 boxes, &c. always ready before-hand, either for 

 storifying or for single hiving ; a neglect of this 

 precaution will often be productive of great in- 

 convenience and confusion. 



It is always desirable to have swarms put into 

 new hives, as old ones often contain the larvee of 

 moths and other embryo insects, which may prove 

 injurious to the bees. If straw be the material 

 with which they are made, every rough straw 

 should be removed from the interior, otherwise 

 the bees will lose that time in rendering it smooth, 

 which they could employ to greater advantage in 

 gathering honey and constructing combs. For a 

 similar reason, if boxes be preferred, these should 

 be made air-tight with putty or other cement, that 

 the bees may not consume their time in filling the 

 crevices with propolis. If on any occasion the 

 apiarian be induced to have recourse to an old 

 hive, for receiving a swarm, it should, before being 

 used, be dipped into boiling water, to destroy the 



