§ VI.] ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 241 



over with the swarm, this latter may be taken away and 

 set in a cool airy place, while the old hive is carefully 

 restored to its old stand, when the bees which were dis- 

 tractedly flitting in and out of the third hive will at once 

 rush into it, and the impression made upon them by the 

 occurrence will be such that they will now cling to it 

 wherever it is placed. It must be forthwith removed to 

 its intended permanent position, but if still short of bees 

 this must be close at hand, so that if the forced swarm 

 is kept where it is for a day or two a good number may 

 desert to the old stock; its entrance should be closed 

 until sunset as a precaution against robbers, but not . so 

 as to stop ventilation. The forced swarm, if not in 

 their permanent hive, must now be treated as an 

 ordinary transfer, and their fixed abode be brought in 

 the evening to the old stand. Some additional covering 

 may be needed at first, and in very cool weather the 

 operation should not be attempted at all. There is no 

 fear of all the bees deserting in the arrangement just 

 suggested, and if inconvenient to complete the operation 

 at once the swarm may be so left, even if there appears 

 no need on account of the old stock. 



The process of driving is the only method of obtain- 

 ing artificial swarms from cottage hives, except in such 

 rare cases of good fortune as the one mentioned on 

 page 236 ; but even \vith frame hives it is often practised 

 for the sake of its rapidity. But with an experienced 

 operator the same result can be achieved by simply taking 



16 



