126 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



the hive is replaced, many hees are on the outside of it, 

 most behind. Of course the number of hees on the 

 hoard, or the thickness of the ropes, 'vvill be greater in 

 some hives than others, according to their construction, 

 size, and ripeness. This is a far better test of the readi- 

 ness of a hive for swarming than the appearance of 

 drones in it, or the heat or noise of it. A hive is often 

 ready to swarm before drones are perfected in it ; and in 

 unfavourable weather it is often as full of bees as it can 

 hold when there is neither much noise nor heat. The ex- 

 amination should be made when bees are not in the fields 

 — that is, when they are all at home. 



The other question may be answered by saying that "we 

 foUow the rule of the bees themselves. When a swarm • 

 comes off naturally, bees enough are left to cover the 

 combs barely or thinly, so that the brood of the hive may 

 be all hatched. Now, in artificial swarming we leave the 

 combs of the old hive as well covered as in natural swarm- 

 ing. If too many have been driven up with the swarm, 

 we put a few spoonfuls back ; and if too few have gone 

 with the swarm, we drum up a few more, and unite them 

 to the swarm. A little experience will make this matter 

 safe and easy to the hand and judgment of the reader. 



In bee-houses, and where many hives are standing close 

 together, there is a little difficulty in placing the swarm 

 and mother hive aright, that is, so as to prevent any of 

 the bees of the one going into the other. When each can 

 be placed at least four feet from the old stand, one to the 

 right and the other to the left, there is scope for success- 

 ful action in this matter. We often succeed — nay, always 

 succeed — though there may be less room than four feet on 

 each side ; but then we have to use a little stratagem. 

 The flight-boards and front of the hives have to be dis- 

 figured, so that the bees may not know or discover the en- 



