SWABMING AND HIVING. 131 



be attached to a frame, should be used, both for its intrin- 

 sic value, and because bees are so pleased when they find 

 such unexpected treasures hi a hive, that they will seldom 

 forsake it. A new swarm often takes possession of a de- 

 serted hive, well stored with comb ; whilst, if dozens of 

 empty ones stand in the Apiary, they very seldom enter 

 them of their own accord. It once seemed to me that an 

 instinct impelling them to do so, would have been much 

 better for us than the present arrangement ; but further 

 reflection has shown me that, on the contrary, it would 

 have been the fruitful origin of interminable broils among 

 neighboring bee-keepers ; and that in this, as in so many 

 other things, the instincts of the honey-bee have been de- 

 vised with special reference to the welfare of man. . 



When the frames* are first used for a new swarm, the 

 rabbets on which they rest should be smeared with flour- 

 paste ; this will keep the frames firm, till they are fastened 

 with propolis by the bees. If hives are sweet and. clean, 

 the rubbing of them with various kinds of herbs or washes, 

 is always useless, and often positively injurious. 



If there are no small trees or bushes near the Apiary, 

 from which the swarms, when clustered, can be easily 

 gathered, limbs of evergreen or other trees may be 

 fastened into the ground, a few rods in front of the hives, 

 which will answer a very good temporary purpose. If 

 there are high trees near his stocks, the bee-master, unless 

 some special precautions are used, will lose much time in 

 hiving his swarms. 



Having noticed that a new swarm will almost always 

 alight wherever they see a mass of clustering bees, I find 

 that they can be determined to some selected spot by an 

 old black hat, or even a mullen stalk, which, when colored 

 black, can hardly be distinguished, at a distance, from a 



* For tafeir proper adjustment, see Explanation of Plates. 



