NATURAL SWARMING. 179 



bees will fall into the hive. Comparatively few will 

 fly, the vastly larger proportion having clung too 

 tightly to one another readily to disengage them- 

 selves. As soon as possible, a floor-board should be 

 quietly and gently placed over the open end of the 

 skep, which must now be inverted, so as to rest on 

 the board. One side may be slightly propped, to 



FIG. 62. HIVING A SWARM. 



afford the flying bees opportunity of more speedy 

 admission to the interior than the ordinary entrance 

 hole would give them. Another quarter of an hour 

 or twenty minutes will suffice for all but a small 

 number of stragglers to join their companions inside. 

 Meantime, a shade should be again provided, till all 

 have entered. 



N 2 



