190 THE FARMER'S 



appletree, as late as the twentieth of June, when 

 the leaves of the trees were full grown. 



Management of Bees. 



Swarming depends on the increase of bees, and 

 a queen being ready to lead them. Their bree- 

 ding begins sooner or later according to the for- 

 wardness of the spring, the fruitfulness of the 

 queen, and the populousness of the hive. When 

 bees carry in farina or pellets on their thighs, it de- 

 notes they have commenced breeding, which may 

 be as early as February, and not finish till Octo- 

 ber; and when their numbers are much increased 

 they show indication of swarming, by their clus- 

 tering in great quantities below the resting board. 



They never rise but on a fair day, acd some- 

 times will settle, and for some cause return to the 

 stock, probably for want of a queen being with 

 them. Some hives will cast three times, but 

 mostly only twice. The second cast may be ex- 

 pected within three or four days, and never later 

 than ten days after the first. Should a stock o- 

 verswarm itself it will perish, unless strengthened; 

 this may be ascertained by observing the quantity 

 of bees afterwards seen to enter. It is necessary 

 in the swarming season from April to July, pjy- 

 ticularly in May and June, to observe the hives 

 on a fine day; in general the bees issue forth a- 

 bout noon — from 9 to 2 o'clock or about 3 m the 

 afternoon. 



To hive hees. 



Bee keepers should have spare hives by them, 

 prepared to hive the bees as soon as they are set- 

 tled: for sihould the sun shine hot on the swarm it 



