ARTIFICIAL S WASHING. 175 



accuracy of measurement, for a very trifling deviation 

 from the dimensions given, will either shut out the loaded 

 workers, or let out the queen. It should be used only 

 to imprison old queens ; for young ones, if confined to 

 the hive, cannot be impregnated. These blocks, if firmly 

 fastened, will exclude mice from the hive in the Whiter. 

 "When used to prevent all swarming, it will be necessary 

 to adjust them a little after sunrise and before sunset, to 

 allow the bees to carry out any drones that have died. 



Some bee-keepers, while reading these various processes 

 for making artificial swarms, have probably thought that 

 it would be much better to double the colonies by trans- 

 ferring half the combs and bees of a full stock to an empty 

 hive; but for reasons already assigned (p. 156), such a 

 course, though apparently more simple, would be injuri- 

 ous to the bees. 



Having detailed the methods which can be most advan- 

 tageously used for doubling stocks in one season, by arti- 

 ficial swarming, it seems proper to discuss the question 

 whether it will be best to aim at a rate of increase more 

 or less rapid than this.* 



might be nsed to prevent the Issue of second as well as first swarms. If the simple 

 turning over of two blocks will prevent all swarming, and without any ulterior 

 evil consequences to the colony, it will meet the wants of a large class of bee- 

 keepers. 



The difference between theoretical conjectures and practical results is often so 

 great, that nothing in the bee-line, or indeed in any other line, should be considered 

 as established, until by being submitted to rigorous demonstration, it has triumph- 

 antly passed from the mere regions of the brain, to those of actual fact. A theory 

 which may seem so plausible as almost to amount to positive demonstration, when 

 put to the working test, may be encumbered by some unforeseen difficulty, which 

 speedily convinces even the most sanguine that it has no practical value. Nine 

 things out of ten may work to a charm, and yet the tenth may be so connected 

 with the other nine, that its failure renders their success of no account. 



* As soon as persons find that colonies can be multiplied at will, they are very 

 apt to so overdo the matter, as to risk losing their bees. Notwithstanding repeated 

 cautions to "make haste slowly," some have multiplied so rapidly, as to ruin their 

 stocks, and bring great discredit on my hive, and system of management Others 

 will probably da the same thing ; for it would seem that nothing but a sad expert- 



