116 APPENDIX. 



ages,) we might still make a good artificial swarm on a different principle to that we had 

 intended, so as, in fact, to test the Shirachean system. I proceeded accordingly to prop one 

 comb against the other on the old stand, at an angle of about forty degrees, while my 

 friend placed the hive over them. No sooner was this effected, than all the bees, "which had 

 hitherto been swarming about like demented creatures, began hurriedly to enter, with 

 buzzing wings and every token of joy, so that in an incredibly short space of time the bees 

 were as busily employed in pursuing their usual avocations as if nothing whatever had 

 happened. The removal and fastening up of the old hive closed the labors of this eventful 

 morning. After explaining the matter as best we could to the bees' mistress, wo returned 

 home vexed indeed, yet on the whole rejoicing that there was still good hope of success 

 after all that had happened." 



To the above I have to add the following extract : — " Dec. 12. Paid a visit to Mr. , 



and called at the farm to inquire after the fate of our artificial swarm. It was reported 



to have been found "very heavy" in the autumn, when its owner gathered in her honey 

 harvest of the year . . . The old stock out of which this was formed sent out no after- 

 swarm ; it was, however, rich in honey, and the bees had filled up the void place among the 

 combs." 



(G — Page 55.) 



I SHAii here suggest to the experimentalist a somewhat different treatment of his spolia- 

 tion swarms to that pointed out in the text, of whose practical value, however, I cannot 

 speak from experience. 



In most parts of England honey only abounds in the fields, and woods, and meadows, in 

 any surplus quantity, during the eight weeks following the 20th of May in average years. 

 It is evident, therefore, that the more exclusively the attention of the bees is directed during 

 this period to the object of collecting it, the larger becomes the profit of the bee master, and 

 in a ratio proportionate to the population of the hive. Now it has occurred to me, that if 

 we could altogether prevent breeding in a populous hive, the stores of honey garnered in a 

 favorable season would be immense, as the bees would thus naturally devote their whole time 

 and energies to this object, none being employed in nursing and tending the young ; and in 

 this way, that the grand secret would be disclosed of obtaining the maximum quantity of 

 honey at the least possible expense of bee labor. I conceive that this might be effected by 

 destroying the queen of a prime swarm, and compelling the bees to rear a succession of ar- 

 tificial queens, by supplying them from time to time with pieces of worker comb contain- 

 ing eggs or very young larvse. At the same time care should be taken to allow none of 

 these queens to arrive at maturity, or to remove them, (if young queens should be wanted 

 elsewhere,) the instant they emerge from the cell. 



Should this method of treating a hive be thought worthy of a trial, I would recommend 

 a close attention to the following directions, as being the most likely to insure success. Let 

 the swarm issue naturally or artificially, and hive it temporarily in the usual manner. 

 Now procure a suitable piece of worker comb by cutting it out of the parent stock, or of 

 some other hive, taking care that there be not only very young larva, but eggs also. Next 

 put a clean new hive upon its own bottom boaTd, and arrange the fragment of combj 

 (which should be about three inches square,) over one of the holes at the top of the hive, 

 under a small glass just large enough to hold it. This being done, substitute this hive for 

 the stock from which the swarm about to be experimented with proceeded, removing the 

 old hive to some distance. Now search'for the queen of the swarm by dashing them all out of 

 their temporary abode upon the ground, and destroy her when secured. The bees, on re- 



