NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INCREASE. 157 
the sealing of these cells indicates the first swarm, which 
will generally issue on tho first fair day after one or more 
are finished. 
WHICH BEES COMPOSE Tic SWARM. 
It is probable that no rule governs the issno 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 young bees 
leave, any one may be satisfied on sceing a swarm issue. 
A 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 co easily proved with the movablc- 
comb hive, that it is unnecessary to occupy several pages 
in demonstrating it. After the swarm has left, you have 
only to examine the combs to be assured that she is no- 
where in the hive. ‘The absence of eggs in the celis is 
other proof. 
We will now suppose that some of your colonies are 
ready to send out swarms, and will also presume that the 
empty 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 from 10 A. mM. until 3 Pp. x. 
