SPRING MANAGEMENT. 293 
kinds, according as the princesses emit them from 
without or within their cells. For want of a more 
distinctive term, these sounds have obtained the 
name of piping. To Huber we are largely indebted 
for the knowledge we possess as regards this 
peculiarity in the natural history of the bee; and 
his observations have since received abundant con- 
firmation—perhaps from no apiculturist more satis- 
factorily than from Mr. Golding. ‘‘ The first note of 
piping heard,” says the latter, ‘is low and plaintive, 
and is uttered by the princess already at liberty, and 
I have frequently seen her emit it. She traverses 
the hive, stopping upon or near the royal cells 
which still contain brood, and emits her long 
plaintive note. This, when the other young queens 
are sufficiently forward (generally in about two days), 
is answered by them from within their cells, in a 
quick, short, hoarse note. After these last have 
been heard for about two days, the swarm may be 
expected to come off.” ‘‘ These sounds, therefore,” 
in the words of Keys, “convey to the apiarian one 
certain warning, that when heard, he may be assured 
the first or prime swarm has escaped.” But 
universal as this rule has been considered, it has 
not been entirely without exception; for im a 
stock-hive of Dr. Bevan’s, in the remarkable season 
of 1852, swarming had been so long prevented by 
bad weather, that a young queen became liberated, 
and on her escaping into a super, piping was the 
consequence for two days before the issue of a 
prime swarm. 
After-swarms are frequently accompanied by more 
