SWARMING. 199 



Bwarm maj be seen and heard, at a distance, where 

 fifty hives, ordinarily at work, would not be noticed 1 

 "When about out of the hive, or soon after, some branch 

 of a tree or bush is usually selected on which to clus- 

 ter. In less than half a minute after the spot is indi- 

 cated, even when the bees are spread over an acre, 

 they are gathered in the immediate vicinity, and all 

 cluster in a body from five to ten minutes after leaving 

 the hive. They should now be hived immediately, as 

 they show impatience if left long, especially in the sun ; 

 also, if another stock should send out a swarm while 

 they were hanging there, they would be quite sure to 

 mix together. 



MANNER OF HIVING CAN BE VARIED. 



It makes but little difference what way they are put 

 in the hive, providing they are all made to go in. 

 Proceed as is most convenient ; an old table or bench 

 is very good to keep them out of the grass if there 

 should happen to be any ; if there is not much, in the 

 way, lay your bottom-board on the ground, make it 

 level, set your hive on it, and raise one edge an inch 

 or more to give the bees a chance to enter. 



USUAL METHOD. 



;Out off the branch with the bees, if it can be done 

 as well as not, and shake it in front of the hive, a por- 

 tion will discover it, and will at once commence a vi- 

 bration of their wings; this, I suppose, is a- call for the 

 others. A knowledge of a new home being found 

 seems to be communicated in this way, as it is kept up 

 uatn all are in, A great many are apt to stop about, 



