94 



probalily mistake for rain. For the same purpose it 

 is usual to beat on a kettle or frying pan. This 

 practice has probably arisen from observing- that 

 thunder., or any g-reat noise, prompts such bees as 

 are in the fields to return home. As soon as the 

 swarm is settled, the bees which compose it should 

 be got into a hive as soon as possiltle, to prevent 

 their taking- wing again. If they settle upon a small 

 branch of a tree easy to come at, it may be cut off 

 and laid upon a cloth ; the hive being ready imme- 

 diately to put over them. If the branch cannot be 

 conveniently cut, the liees may be swept off from it 

 into a hive ; lodge hut the (/ueen in the hire, and the 

 rest ?vill soon fol/ou- her. If the bees must be much 

 disturbed in order to get them into a hive, the most 

 advisable way is to let them remain in the place 

 where they have pitched till the evening, when there 

 is less danger of their taking wing; if they are 

 observed still to hover about the tree where they first 

 alighted, its branches may l)e rubbed with rue or 

 alder leaves, or any other herb distasteful to them, 

 in order to prevent their returning to it. We some- 

 times see a swarm of bees after having left their 

 hive, and even alighted upon a tree, return to their 

 first abode : this never happens but when the young 

 queen did not come forth with them from w-ant of 

 strength, or, perhaps, courage to trust her wings for 

 the first time. 



Your fresh hives should be cleaned before using 

 ■«'ith the utmost care, and afterwards rubbed with 

 fragrant flowers, or with honey. 



JTie feeding of bees should not be deferred until 

 winter or spring. Hives should be examined in 

 September, and if a large hive does not then weigh 

 301bs. it will be necessary to allow it half a pound 

 of honey, or the same quantity of soft sugar made 

 into a syrup (with boiling water,) for every pound 

 that is deficient of that weight, and in Like propor- 

 tion to smaller hives. 



