SWAEMING. 209 



I resolved not to be baffled or have much more such 

 trouble, and perhaps go to the woods at last, thereby 

 setting a bad example. I put under the hive the 

 wire-cloth bottom-board, opened two or three holes 

 on the top, and covered these also with wire-cloth, 

 (this was to let the air circulate) ; a quantity of honey 

 and water was given them and they were then carried 

 to the cellar, and kept prisoners four days, except 

 half an hour before sunset ; when too , late to leave 

 for a journey, I set them out to provide a few neces- 

 saries, and then returned themi to the cellar. In four 

 days, when honey enough is given them, a good swarm 

 will half fill an ordinary hive with combs. Some of 

 the first eggs deposited will be about hatching into 

 larvae, all of which would seem like too much to leave. 

 I now set them out, and gave them liberty ; shading 

 the hive, &c., as before directed. They all proved 

 faithful and industrious, prospering like others. If 

 their design was for a distant location, they put a good 

 face on the matter in the end. 



HOW FAB WILL THEY GO IN SEARCH OF A HOME? 



How far they will travel in search of a home, is also 

 uncertain. I have heard of their going seven miles, 

 but could not learn how the fact wjis proved, I have 

 no experience of my own in this matter, but will re- 

 late a circumstance that happened near me a few 

 years since. A neighbor was ploughing, when a swarm 

 passed over him ; being near the earth, he " pelted 

 them heartily" with the loose dirt he had ploughed up, 

 which seemed to bring them up, or rather down, as 



