SWARMING. 29 



Hitherto, all our remarks have had reference to first 

 or "prime" swarms; these are the best, and when a 

 swarm is purchased, such should be bargained for. 



Second swarms, known amongst cottage bee-keepers 

 as " casts," usually issue from the hive nine or ten days 

 after the first has departed. It is not always that a 

 second swarm issues, so much depends on the strength 

 of the stock, the weatlier, and other causes ; but should 

 the bees determine to throw out another, the first hatched 

 queen in the stock-hive is prevented by her subjects from 

 destroying the other royal princesses, as she would do if 

 left to her own devices. The consequence is that, like 

 some people who cannot have their own way, she is 

 highly indignant; and, when thwarted in her purpose, 

 utters, in quick succession, shrill, angry sounds, much 

 resembling "Peep, peep," commonly called "piping," 

 but which more courtly apiarians have styled the vox 

 regalis. 



This royal wailing continues during the evening, and 

 is sometimes so loud as to be distinctly audible many 

 yards from the hive. When this is the case, a swarm 

 may be expected either on the next day, or at latest 

 within three days. The second swarm is not quite so 

 chary of weather as the first; it was the o/tf lady who 

 exercised so much caution, disliking to leave home except 

 in the best of summer weather. 



In some instances, owing to favourable breeding sea- 

 sons and prolific queens, a third swarm issues from the 



