226 SUMMER. 



by any one not actually deaf, and not the Ic&'it danger 

 of its being taken for any humming ; in f?iCt^ it is not 

 to be mistaken for anything else hut pipinrj, even when 

 you hear it for the first time. These notes can prob- 

 ably never be heard except when the hive contains.a 

 plurality of queens. 



MAT ALWAYS BE HEARD BEPORE AND AFTIIR SWARM. 



I never failed to hear it, previous to a s econd sWarm, 

 or any after the first, whenever I listened ; and when- 

 ever I have listened and not heard it at the proper 

 time, I never knew a second swarm to issue ! 



TIME OF CONTINTTANCE VARIES. 



The time of commencing will be later than this rule 

 in some stocks, if the weather is cool, or not many 

 bees left ; it may be ten or twelve days. I once found 

 it fourteen before I heard it. Also the swarm may 

 not issue in two or three days after you hear it. The 

 longer the swarm delays, the louder will be the piping ; 

 I have heard it distinctly twenty feet, by listening 

 attentively when I knew one was thus engaged ; but 

 at first it is rather faint. By putting your ear against 

 the hive it may be heard even in the middle of the 

 day, or at any time before issuing. The length of 

 time it may be heard beforehand seems to be govern- 

 ed again by the yield of honey ; when abundant: it is 

 common for them to issue the next day ; but when 

 somewhat scarce, they will be much longer — ^very often 

 three or four days. In these cases third swarms sel- 

 dom occur. 



