THE COTTAGE AND FARM BEE KEEPER. 49 



of her processes. But the season must be remarkably forward, indeed, 

 which witnesses such an occurrence in this country, or else some de- 

 fect will be found to exist in the hive whence the issue takes place ; 

 whether from the existence of the wax moth, the presence of very 

 old comb, or some similar cause. Neither when such does occur is it 

 often that the bee master can congratulate himself upon the cir- 

 cumstance, for it is not the earliest swarm which is on that account 

 the best. Whatever the bees may do naturally, however, I should 

 recommend the forcing of swarms artificially to be delayed till after 

 the second week in May under any circumstances, because of the well- 

 known fickleness of the season at that period of the year, and the 

 chances of starvation and other evils endangering the very existence 

 of both issued swarm and parent stock from chilling' rains or bluster- 

 ing weather. Indeed, it is better to wait till after the third week of 

 this month is over, (except in a remarkably fine and early season,) 

 even though the stock should appear otherwise ready for it. I have 

 observed that very early swarms, even in May, do not in general pros- 

 per so well as those that have proceeded later in the month. It would 

 seem as if, the first anxious start of the hive having been checked by 

 unseasonable weather, the bees' ardor had become cooled and their 

 spirits discouraged, so that on the return of really propitious weather 

 they have no heart to work with the same diligence as other swarms 

 which have issued in the very midst of the busy season. Perhaps the 

 most suitable time of any, other things considered,) presents with the 

 first considerable collection of honey. As soon as the weather from 

 being cold or chilly has changed to a temperature of a close thundery 

 nature, when honey is sure to abound, (at which time every good stock 

 will about have reached its climax of vigor for the year, though this 

 does not usually take place till towards the end of May,) let the ope- 

 ration be performed if the bees have not themselves swarmed natu- 

 rally. I lay great stress upon waiting till this moment, if circumstan- 

 ces allow the bee master to wait so long, because no sooner does 

 honey abound, than the bees greatly slight the queen's convenience. 

 She is still, it may be, as desirous as ever to lay her eggs, (nay, per- 

 haps, more so- — for I am not one of those who think the queen bee 

 relaxes her deposit of eggs after what is called her " great laying " is 

 over) ; but another instinct besides that of preservation of their spe- 

 cies occupies the bees' attention, namely, that of preparation for a day 



