BEES. 24d 



dry, and sufficiently warm in winter ; but not so warm 

 as lo leinpt t!ie bees abroad in warm winter days. All 

 seams should be stopped which would admit insects ; and 

 the board on which the hive stands, should be carefully 

 secured against warping". In very cold situations, the 

 house should be tilled with straw, watching against mice, 

 and removing the straw in the spring. 



Stocks should be removed either early in the morn- 

 ing, or in the evening, well tied up in a cloth, and sus- 

 pended on a long pole carried on men's shoulders. 



It is advisable, says Mr. Kicholson^ to have large 

 swarms ; and for this purpose two or more small ones 

 should be put together. The swarm should w§igh from 

 4 to 6 pounds. This can be easily ascertained by know- 

 ing the weight of the empty hive, which should be mark- 

 ed thereon, (5000 bees generally weigh a pound.) 



For joining two or more swarms, take a full hive, set 

 it on a cloth, 5?nd then give it a smart stroke, which will 

 cause all the bees to fall : search for the queen and de- 

 stroy her; have another full hive ready, and put it over 

 the bees, and they will soon crawl up into it, and be- 

 come incorporated with those of that hive. This may 

 be repeated for the purpose of adding a third swarm. 



The following signs, according to Mr. Huish, generally 

 precede the swarming of bees. 1st. An extraordinary 

 number hang in clusters about the hives. 2d. An appa- 

 rent idleness among the bees. 3d. A particular noise 

 of ckip^ chip^ made by the young queen, two or three 

 nights before taey swarm. 4th. An unusual bustle 

 amongst the drones. 5th. A sudden silence succeeding 

 a violent uproar. 6th. The continual motipn of the 

 wings of the bees which stand at the entrance. 7th, 

 Violent commotions at the entrance of the hives, and the 

 bees crowding out in great numbers. 



In hiving, &c- approach them with the smoke, that 

 arises from burning leather. This will make them re- 

 treat into their hive at any time, or leave the branch or 

 trunk ot a tree when hiving them, should they attempt 

 to regain the place they at first occupied. Besides, this 

 act of fumigation will disarm them of all resentment, and 

 render them harmless. If, in swarming, they light on a 

 bx'anch of a tree or shrub, after they have settled, the 

 12* 



