PREVENTION OF SWARMING. 105 



The manner of using the device is simple. Before the colonies swarm 

 the device is attached to the fronts of two adjacent hives. The slide 

 (fig. 70, si) having been inserted at one end of the device, the bees 

 returning from the fields are all run into the other hive, on which the 

 supers are then placed. Before the colony, thus made doubly populous, 

 decides to swarm, the slide and supers are both changed to the other 

 hive. This is repeated every four or five days during the swarming 

 period. 



SELECTION IN BREEDING. 



Some races of bees show greater inclination than others toward 

 swarming, and the same difference can be noted between individual 

 colonies of a given race; therefore, whatever methods be adopted to 

 prevent or limit increase, no doubt the constant selection of those 

 queens to breed from whose workers show the least tendency toward 

 swarming would in time greatly reduce this disposition. Indeed, it is 

 perfectly consistent to believe that persistent effort, coupled with rigid 

 and intelligent selection, will eventually result in a strain of bees quite 

 as much entitled to be termed non-swarming as certain breeds of fowls 

 which have been produced by artificial selection are to be called non- 

 sitters. These terms are of course only relative, being merely indica- 

 tive of the possession of a certain disposition in a less degree than that 

 shown by others of the same species. It might never be possible to 

 change the nature of our honey bees so completely that they would 

 never swarm under any circumstances, and even if possible it would 

 take a long period, so strongly implanted seems this instinct. But to 

 modify it is within the reach of any intelligent breeder who will persist- 

 ently make the effort. Such work should be undertaken in experi- 

 mental apiaries where its continuance when a single point has been 

 gained will not be affected by the changes of individual fortunes. 



Many features connected with swarming still remain mysteries. The 

 whole subject requires still more study, and its full elucidation would 

 no doubt be of great practical value to apiculture. The field is inviting. 



