30 SWARMING. 



hive; this is termed a "colt:" and, in remarkable in- 

 stances, even a fourth, which in rustic phrase is desig- 

 nated a "filly." A swarm from a swarm is called a 

 "maiden" swarm, and, according to bee theory, will 

 again have the old queen for its leader. 



The bee-master should endeavour to prevent his 

 labourers from swarming more tlian once ; his policy is 

 rather to encourage the industrious gathering of honey, 

 by keeping a good supply of "supers" on the hives. 

 Sometimes, however, he may err in putting on the 

 supers too early or unduly late, and the bees will then 

 swarm a second time, instead of making use of the store- 

 rooms thus provided. In such a case, the clever apiarian, 

 having spread the swarm on the ground, will select the 

 queen, and cause the bees to go back to the hive from 

 whence they came. This operation requires an amount 

 of apiarian skill which, though it may easily be attained, 

 is greater than is usually possessed. 



