CHAPTER VII 



NATURAL SWARMS 



TOWARDS the end of the month of May swarms 

 may be expected from strong colonies. As a rule 

 there will not be many swarms during this month, 

 by far the greater number coming off in June or 

 during the first week of July. Still it is best to 

 be prepared in time, and by this date spare hives 

 should be in readiness for use if necessary. 



There are various reasons which explain the 

 swarming of bees, first and foremost being that it 

 is their natural mode of increase. In a great 

 measure this accounts for the fact that the numer- 

 ous devices intended to eliminate swarming, have 

 never proved entirely successful. There are, haw- 

 ever, other conditions which conduce to the bees 

 seeking another home, conditions which may be 

 swept away by the apiarist if he has no use for 

 increase. 



Chief of these is want of room in the hive foi 

 the teeming population, the exposure of the hive 

 to intense heat, and the failure to give adequate 

 ventilation. A colony is also more liable to throw 

 off a swarm if it be headed by an aged queen. 

 These incitements to swarming may be obviated 



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