208 SUMMER. 



will let it pass at-that. Yet I think if bees are pro- 

 perly cared for, that ninety-nine swarms in a hundred 

 will prefer a good clean hive to a rotten tree in the 

 woods. 



MEANS OF ARRESTING A SWARM. 



I have had three swarms that were exceptions to 

 general rules, giving me some trouble by swarming 

 out after being hived ; the third and fourth time they 

 left, I. threw water among them, causing quite a 

 shower; when my pail-full was out, I used earth; 

 they went but a short distance, .and clustered in the 

 usual way. Now were these bees intending to leave, 

 and had their designs frustrated by the water and 

 earth? I am not quite as sure as the old lady, who 

 hiew that " drumming on a tin-pan did good," but I 

 am inclined to think it had some effect. I have heard 

 of several instances where swarms were appareiitly 

 stopped, by having earth thrown among them, while 

 passing over a field where men were at work. "We 

 know they dislike being wet, as we see them hasten- 

 ing home on the approach of a shower ; or we can at 

 any time drive them in the hive by sprinkling them 

 with water. Throwing water in the swarm is a kind 

 of imitation shower, and earth is something like it. 

 Whether useful or not, these swarms leaving the hive 

 was rather suspicious, and I should try it again under 

 similar circumstances. 



SOME COMPULSION. 



After getting them in the hive for the fourth time, 



