SWARMING AND HIVING. 133 



hives, which, instead of being gorged with honey, are on 

 the alert, and very naturally mistake the object of such 

 excited demonstrations. The fact that the swarm has 

 clustered, makes it almost certain, that, unless the weather 

 is very hot, or they are exposed to the burning heat of the 

 sun, they will not leave for at least one or two hours. 

 All convenient dispatch, however, should be used in hiving 

 a swarm, lest it send out scouts, which may entice it from 

 the new hive, or lest other colonies issue, and attempt to 

 add themselves to it. 



If my hives are used, the whole entrance should be 

 opened, that the bees may get in as soon as possible ; and 

 a sheet should be securely fastened to the alighting-board, 

 to keep them from becoming separated, or soiled by dirt ; 

 for, if separated, they are a long time in entering ; and a 

 bee covered with dust or diit is very apt to perish. The 

 common hives should be propped up on the sheet, in such 

 a way as to give the bees the readiest admission. 



When the limb on which the bees have clustered can 

 be easily reached, it should be shaken, with one hand, so 

 that they may gently fall into a basket held under them, 

 with the other. The basket should be open sufficiently to 

 admit the air freely, but not enough to allow the bees to 

 get through its sides. They should noAV be gently sha- 

 ken or poured out on the sheet, in front of their new 

 home. If they seem at all reluctant to enter it, gently 

 scoop up a few of them with a large spoon, and shake them 

 close to its entrance. As they go in with fanning wings, 

 they will raise a peculiar note, Avhich communicates to 

 their companions- the joyful news that they have found a 

 home ; and in a short time, the whole swarm will enter, 

 without injury to a single bee. 



When bees are once shaken down on the sheet, they are 

 quite unwilling to take wing again ; for, being loaded with 



