ITATUBAL AN'D AETIFICIAL IKCREASE. 155 



The bee-keeper who thinks much of his hees will, of 

 course, wish to see and hive his swarms as they issue. If 

 neglected, for even a short time after thpy cluster, they . 

 will often relieve themselves from such protection, and 

 seek the shelter of some old tree in the woods. Without 

 some knowledge of the indications of swarms, we often 

 watch vainly for weeks, remaining at home, and perhaps 

 neglecting important business in the fruitless expectation 

 that the "bees will swarm." External appearances are 

 not to be depended on. Very early swarms often issue 

 before clustering out ; also, they very often cluster out 

 without swarming. It is necessary to look inside the 

 hive for reliable indications. 



INDICATIONS OF SWAKMINO. 



To a novice, this operation is apparently formidable. 

 But with protection for the face, and the aid of a smoker, 

 the magnitude of the performance is greatly diminished, 

 and will grow less with every repetition. The hives 

 should be examined in the middle of the day. Lift out 

 the frames, and look for queen-cells. If there are none 

 containing eggs or larvae, or none with thin, smooth 

 walls, evidently just begun, there is not much prospect 

 of a swarm for several days. But if any cells contain eggs, 

 or larvffl nearly ready to seal over, or are actually enclosed, 

 we know at once what to expect. When sealed over, the 

 swarm will probably issue the next day. This is at the 

 beginning of the swarming season. If at or near the 

 close we examine again, and find the queen-cells de- 

 stroyed, we ctmclude that they are done swarming. 



I have found the requisites for all regular swarms to 

 be something like this. The combs must be crowded 

 with bees ; they must contain a numerous brood advanc 

 ing from the egg to maturity, and the bees must be ob 

 taining honey either from flowers or artificial sources. * 



*To these I would add Scarcity of room for brood. 



