64 AN EAST METHOD OF 



a swarm which would have come from them. 

 When it is necessary to transfer a swarm, 

 insert drawer No. 1 into their chamber in the 

 spring, say the first of May. If they fill the 

 draw^er, let it remain there ; if they need to be 

 changed to a new hive, they will recede from 

 the lower apartment and make the drawer 

 their winter quarters, which should remain un- 

 til warm weather has so far advanced as to af- 

 ford them bread. Then they may be remo- 

 ved to an empty hive, as directed in the Rule. 

 Now the drawer contains no bread, and should 

 remain in the old stock until the bees can pro- 

 vide themselves with a sufficient quantity of 

 that article to feed their young bees with ; for 

 bread is not collected early enough and in suf- 

 ficient quantities to feed their young as much 

 as nature requires. If the bees fail in filling 

 the drawer, one should be used that is filled 

 by another swarm. 



