54 'A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



weather; fine still days are generally selected, seldom 

 earlier than nine or later than three o'clock, and most 

 frequently between twelve and two. As soon as the hive 

 becomes inconveniently crowded, and Drones make their 

 appearance, the Bees prepare for swarming by building 

 a number of royal cells, and this having been done, the 

 Bees' instinct soon teaches them it is time to form a new 

 colony. The first swarm is invariably accompanied by 

 the old Queen, and she usually goes off as soon as one 

 or more of the royal cells be sealed over; but even 

 although the royal cells have arrived so far towards 

 maturity, swarming may yet be stopped by unfavourable 

 weather or other causes, in which case the embryo Queens 

 will be destroyed. Previous to swarming, her majesty 

 becomes very restless, and instead of proceeding with 

 her usual important business of egg-laying, roams rest- 

 lessly over the combs. Her agitation infects the whole 

 colony ; they rush to the honey cells, fill their honey bags, 

 and fly in and out the hive as though impatient for the 

 important event. At length a violent commotion ensues ; 

 the Bees become almost frantic, whirling round in circles, 

 continually enlarging, until at last the whole hive is in a 

 state of the greatest ferment, and the Bees, rushing 

 impetuously to the entrance, pour forth in one steady 

 stream. 



" Upward they rise a dark continuous cloud, 

 Of congregated myriads numberless, 

 The rushing of whose wings is as the sound 

 Of a broad river headlong in its course. 

 Plunged from a mountain summit, or the roar 

 Of a wild ocean in the autumn storm, 

 Shattering its billows on a shore of rocks." — SOUTHEY. 



It is generally supposed that the Queen leads the 

 swarm, but this is not the case; she may come out 

 with the first rush, or at any other time ; as also on 



