164 PLEASURABLE BEE-KEEPING. 



cluster with the finger, and giving a slight puff of 

 smoke to those congregating at the junction of the 

 hives, will hurry them up into the empty one. A 

 sharp look-out must be kept for the queen, in order 

 that she may be removed, if the bees are only required 

 for uniting to other stocks. In case no queen of two 

 or three lots is of particular merit, the bees may be 

 allowed to settle the question as to which shall remain 

 at the head of the united colony. 



Open driving is adopted in the making of artificial 

 swarms, a proceeding not recommended, unless in- 

 crease of stocks is desired ; but even then it is a risky 

 operation in the hands of the novice, who had better 

 trust to natural swarming for increase of stocks. 

 Artificial swarms never work with the same vigour 

 as those that issue naturally. 



In making an artificial swarm care must be taken 

 to imitate nature as far as possible, and see that 

 sufficient bees are left in the hive to attend to the 

 brood-nest, and keep up a temperature that will pre- 

 vent the brood being chilled. Unlike a natural swarm 

 which may be placed in any new position, an artificial 

 swarm must be placed on the stand occupied by the 

 stock, which may be moved to another part of the 

 garden. 



Presuming that the operation is performed in the 

 middle of the day, account must be taken of the flying 

 bees, that is, those flying to and from the fields, in 

 estimating the quantity to be driven out of the stock, 

 for all those not in the hive will, of course, join the 

 swarm on returning home. 



Buviping is an expeditious method of taking the 



