314 PURCHASE REMOVAL SWARMS. 



pounds. In Lincolnshire, seven swarms were ob- 

 tained from two old hives : that is to say, two top 

 swarms, two second swarms, and from the two top 

 swarms two virgin swarms, and from the latter a 

 second virgin swarm. The first swarm was hived 

 May 2, the last June 27. Another hive threw out 

 four swarms within sixteen days. 



The object, next to purchase, is the REMOVAL of 

 the bargain homewards, which is always effected most 

 conveniently and safely by water-carriage. In those 

 cases wherein recourse must be had to land-carriage, 

 it is managed by two men, having a pole between 

 them, upon which the hive, wrapped in a sheet, 

 is slung. But the most convenient method of re- 

 moval is by a common hand-barrow, by means of 

 which several hives may be removed at the same 

 time ; previously to which, however, the utmost cau- 

 tion should be used in stopping up every crevice 

 or aperture by which a single bee can make its 

 escape. Mr. Huish mentions an instance in which 

 this precaution being not sufficiently attended to, the 

 active little insects discovered an aperture whence 

 they effected their escape ; and the consequence was 

 a furious attack on the porters, who very unceremo- 

 niously threw down their burthen, and the total 

 destruction of the hives was the result. Previously 

 to removal, the entrance of the hive should be closed 

 with a tin-plate, pierced with small holes, to prevent 

 the suffocation of the bees. 



In our climate, although the bees may SWARM 

 several times in a season, it is found, with few excep- 

 tions, that the first swarm only is worth preserving ; 



