62 A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



wrong about the hive which we cannot always ' define, 

 and the swarm issues again ; in this case ;t is advisable 

 at the next hiving to use another hive, for if you put 

 them into the same as before, they probably will again 

 desert it. When working with frame hives the swarm may 

 almost always be induced to remain by giving them a 

 comb of unsealed brood from another hive ; the Bees 

 cannot resist the temptation to attend to the helpless 

 young, and so remain. If the Queen should unfortunately 

 have become lost, this brood will supply the Bees with 

 the means of raising another. 



If two swarms cluster together, they may advantage- 

 ously be kept together, but if it be wished to separate 

 them, the following plan may be pursued : Having hived 

 the doubled swarm, drench them well with syrup from 

 the rose of a watering-can ; then, having placed two 

 other hives on a large sheet, shake down the Bees 

 midway between them, and with a feather direct a stream 

 of Bees towards the mouth of each ; probably a Queen 

 will go each way, but keep a sharp look out, and if you 

 can capture both Queens, the process becomes simple. 

 Give one to each hive, and with your feather arrange 

 the stream of Bees so that they shall be about equally 

 divided ; if one Queen only be captured, and the Bees 

 are found quietly entering one of the hives, the other 

 Queen is doubtless there ; but if the Bees are disin- 

 clined to take possession of either domicile, then the 

 Queen is still, probably, on the cloth, and the search 

 must be continued. 



Second and third swarms are led by Virgins, and if 

 they issue when they are not wanted, they may be 

 returned in the evening by shaking them out on a 

 sheet before the entrance of the hive from which they 

 issued, they will immediately run in ; it is advisable to 



