68 A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



their new quarters in the following way : Secure the 

 Queen, and when the Bees show that they miss her, con- 

 fine them to their hive (properly ventilated), until their 

 agitation has reached its height. Then release them ; 

 and, as they begin to take wing, present to them their 

 Queen, when they will cluster round her, and may be 

 treated like a natural swarm. 



I will now endeavour to describe the means by which 

 advanced Apiarians form artificial swarms in frame hives. 

 In the first place, if it be simply required to force a swarm 

 for the purpose of supplying some one else with the Bees, 

 we may adopt the following plan : — Remove the full hive 

 ten or twelve yards away from its old stand, and, in its 

 place, place the new hive which is to contain the swarm ; 

 then carefully remove and replace each comb seriatim 

 from the old hive, and search for the Queen, who, being 

 found, must be captured and carefully placed in the new 

 hive, before which should be spread a sheet or broad 

 board. Now take out the combs again, and, bringing 

 each to the sheet, give it a sharp shake close to the hive, 

 and the Bees covering them will be precipitated to the 

 ground, and will immediately run into the entrance to 

 rejoin their Queen. The hive should be propped up a 

 little to give them easier access, and care should be taken 

 that the sheet is so placed that the Bees cannot run 

 under ^& floor-board. 



When enough Bees are obtained to make a good 

 swarm, they should be confined (with proper ventilation), 

 removed where desired, and the first hive brought back 

 to the old spot ; or we may proceed as follows : Having 

 a hive with frames of the same gauge as the one that is 

 to supply the swarm, bring it to the side of the other, 

 administer a puff or two of smoke, uncover, and when 

 the crown board is removed, sprinkle the Bees with 



