XATURAI. AXI) ARTrFICIAL INCREASE. 15? 



flic sealing of these cells indicates the first swarm, which 

 will generally issue on the first fair day after one or more 

 are finished. 



AVHIcn BEES COMPOSE THE SWAEII. 



It is probable that no rule governs the issue of the 

 workers. Old and young come out promiscuously. A 

 great many old bees may be seen in late swarms, with 

 wings so worn as to be unable to fly with the load of 

 honey which they attempt to carry. That j'oung bees 

 leave, any one may be satisfied on seeing a swai'm issue. 

 X great many, too young and weak to fly. will drop down 

 in front of the hive, having come out now for the first 

 time, perhaps not an hour out of the cell ; these very 

 young bees may be known by their color. That these 

 may creep back to the hive, is another inducement to set 

 it near the ground. The old queen often gets down in 

 the same way. but her burden of eggs is probably the 

 cause of her inability to fly. That the old queen leaves 

 with the first swarm is so easily proved with the movable- 

 comb liive, that it is unnecessary to occupy several pages 

 in demonstrating it. After the swai-m has left, you have 

 only to examine the combs to be assured that she is no- 

 svhere in the hive. The absence of eggs in the cells is 

 other proot 



AVe will now suppose that some of your colonies ai-e 

 ready to send out swarms, and will also presume that the 

 emptv hives for the reception of swarms are in readiness. 

 To prepare a hive after the swarm has issued indicates 

 bad management ; negligence here argues negligence 

 elsewhere ; it is one of the premonitions of " bad luck." 



IMMEDIATE INDICATIONS OF A SWARM. 



When the day is fair, and there is not too much wind, 

 first swarms generally issue fi-om 10 a. m. until 3 p. m. 



