OF MANAGING BEES. 37 



CHAPTEE V. 



ON EQUALIZING COLONIES. 



HrvE one swarm in the lower apartment of the hive ; 

 collect another swarm in a drawer, and insert the same in 

 the chamber of the hive containing the first. Then, if the 

 swarms are small, collect another small swarm in another 

 drawer, and insert the same in the chamber of the hive con- 

 taining the first, by the side of the second. In case all the 

 bees fi-om either of the drawers mingle and go below with 

 the first swarm, and leave the drawer empty, then it may 

 be removed, and another small swarm added in the same 

 manner. 



REMAKKS. 



It is of prime importance to every bee-cultivator, that all 

 his colonies be made as nearly equal in numbers and strength 

 as possible. Every experienced bee-master must be aware 

 that small swarms are of but little profit to their owner. 

 Generally, in a few days after they are hiyed, they are gone. 

 No one can trace their steps : some suppose they have 

 fled to the woods ; others, that they were robbed ; but, after 

 all, no one is able to give any satisfactory account of them. 

 Some pieces of comb only are left, and perhaps myriads of 

 worms and millers finish off the whole. Then the. moth is 

 supposed to be their destroyer ; but the true history of the 

 case is generally this : all swarms after the first, the same 

 season, are accompanied by a young queen^ which is unable 

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