OF MANAGING BEES. 59 



The queen is much more tenacious of life than any other 

 bee, and may live much longer. It is believed that the com- 

 iDon bees do not often live to exceed eight months. The 

 queen is supposed to live several years. By clipping one 

 wing of a queen accompanying a second swarm, she has 

 been known to come out with the first swarms for several 

 successive years. Only one queen can exist in the same 

 hive any great length of time. When there are more than 

 one, the peculiar sound of each, as explained in remarks on 

 Chapter II., is heard by the other, which usually results in a 

 battle between them, or the issue of a swarm in the course 

 of a day or two, unless the swarming season is nearly at a 

 close ; then the common bees sometimes smother them, as 

 already explained. 



Bees, when placed in a dark room in the upper part of the 

 house, or some out-house, are easily kept (not cultivated) a 

 while, and may be of some benefit to their owner ; but as 

 they are liable to most of the casualties that swarming-hives 

 are, they cannot be as profitable. It takes several years 

 before much comfort, other than the amusement of seeing 

 them work, can be realized ; besides, if they chance to 

 escape the moth, the comb is rendered exceeding dark- 

 colored and filthy where the bees locate in the winter ; and 

 a disagreeable smell, which is caused by their winter breath 

 and other exhalations, is the result. Iii a fe^ years, many 

 of the bees either become paupers, oy acquire habits of in- 

 dolence, |ind, as a natural cpnsequence, soon manifest it by 

 their irritability, unlJHe those cplonies ■vvhich are industrious, 

 and in a healthy and prosperous condition. Besides, it is 

 unusual fop large hiyes fjf bees to make much extra honey 

 aftey the third or fourth year. 



Large cplonies never increase their stock in proportion to 

 the swa;;ming colonies. There is but one female in a large 



