104 INCREASE 



bee-keeper of experience has lost swarms after thinking they 

 were safely hived. Sometimes they will remain in the hive until 

 the following day and then abscond. This is more frequently 

 the case with after swarms. 



Apparently as soon as a swarm is out, scouts go in search 

 of a new location. It is well to hive the bees as soon as possible 

 after they have clustered, and to move the hive to the place where 

 it is expected to remain as soon as they are quietly settled, to 

 avoid, if possible, the upsetting of the bee-keeper's plans by the 

 return of enthusiastic scouts. At times a swarm will remain 

 clustered for hours, and even over night, and be content when 

 hived, while at other times they will leave with little ceremony 

 within a few minutes. That scouts are searching for new quar- 

 ter^ for days in advance of the issuance of the swarm, is evidenced 

 by the fact that bees will be found in large numbers about an 

 empty hive, or other available place for two or three days, when 

 suddenly a large swarm will come in and take possession. 



As soon as the cluster is formed, a sheet may be spread on 

 the ground and the new hive set on it. The bees may be shaken 

 on top of the frames or in front of the entrance (Figs. 53 and 

 54). As soon as a few bees go in they set up a joyful humming 

 that attracts the others, and soon they will be moving in rapidly. 

 If the queen gets inside all is likely to be well, but if she gets 

 lost they will come tumbling out again within a few minutes. 

 If swarms cluster in the top of tall trees, there is no way but to 

 climb for them. They may be let down in a large basket with a 

 rope tied to the handles. 



The Alexander Plan. — The Alexander plan of making in- 

 crease has come into general use in so many apiaries that no 

 better plan, perhaps, can be offered. 



When the colonies are nearly strong enough to swarm natur- 

 ally, remove the colony to be divided from its stand, and put 

 in its place a hive containing combs or frames of foundation. 

 Remove the center comb from the new hive, and exchange it for 

 a frame of brood from the old hive. Find the queen and put 



