HONEY AND EXTRACTOR. 147 



more or less filled with honey, so that there is really 

 neither room nor work in the hive for all the bees, 

 The consequence is that an emigration on a large 

 scale must take place. 



The same thing happens in our own land. England 

 becomes over-populated, and so thousands leave the 

 old country, and go across the seas to find new homes, 

 and fresh land to cultivate, in countries where there is 

 abundant room for all. We hear thus of thousands 

 going to America, New Zealand, and Australia. 



In the case of the bees, when this kind of emigra- 

 tion must take place, and they feel the time coming 

 near, they begin to make preparation by, first of all, 

 taking steps to provide a new queen as formerly 

 described. When she is nearly ready to come out of 

 her royal cell, scouts go out to find a favourable home 

 for the emigrants. It may be in an old tree, or in the 

 roof of a house. I have often known bees at such 

 times come down a chimney, black as sweeps, into a 

 room. These were the scouts looking for a new 

 home, and examining the chimney-pot ; and, being 

 unable to return, on account of getting covered with 

 soot, they fell down into the room. All things being 

 now ready, the bees on some fine morning, if left to 

 themselves, would issue forth as a natural swarm. 



But it often happens that the bee-keeper does not 

 want any increase in the number of his stocks. And 

 so, before this swarming takes place, indeed as soon 

 as the hives become full of bees, .he says, ' No, I do 

 not intend you to make a swarm. You must all 

 remain at home, and make honey for my use.' And 

 when the bees reply, 'We cannot do so, for we have 



