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- 
ters 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. 
Tf swarms cluster in the top of tall trees, there is no wav but-to 
climb for them. Thev may be let down in a large basket with a 
rope tied to the handles. 
The Alexander Plan.—The Alexander plan of making in- 
erease 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 
