214 SUMMER. 



Occasionally, when ready for a swarm and waiting 

 for one to start, two may do so at once. Whenever a 

 part have got on the wing, I never succeeded in stop- 

 ping the issue : consequently I have found it useless 

 trying to drive or coax them back in such cases. To 

 succeed, the means must be used in season, before any 

 of the swarm leaves. 



WHEN TWO HAVE UNITED, THE METHOD OF SEPARATING. 



Two or more swarms will cluster together, and not 

 quarrel, if put in one hive : I have already told you 

 the disadvantages. Unless business is very urgent, 

 your time cannot be better employed than in dividing 

 them. First, it is necessary to provide a good stock 

 of patience, as it may be a short job, or it may be a 

 long one. Get two empty hives, and divide the bees 

 as nearly equal as possible. It is generally ther best 

 way to spread a sheet on the ground, and shake the 

 bees in the centre, and set the hives each side of the 

 mass, their edges raised to allow the bees to enter ; if 

 too many are disposed to enter one hive, set it farther 

 off. If they cluster in a situation where they cannot 

 be got to the earth in a body, they must Be dipped off 

 as before directed, but, in this case, putting a dipper 

 full in each hive alternately, until all are in. They 

 should be made to hurry some in going in ; keep the 

 entrance clear, and stir them up often ; or sprinkle a 

 very little water on them, as they should not be al- 

 lowed to stop their humming until all are in. We 

 have one chance in two of getting a queen in each. 

 The two hives should now be placed twenty feet apart ; 



