26 AN EASY METHOD 



they do not turn in their sockets, like the eyes of men and 

 quadrupeds, they are unable to traverse a crooked path with- 

 out extreme difficulty; and when their sight is entirely 

 obstructed for any length of time, they are compelled to 

 alight. 



When bees leave for a new residence that is unknown to 

 their owner, several miles distant — and it is believed that bees 

 even see the tree that they have selected for their residence, 

 among many others — and the wind blows not so strong as 

 to vary them from their course, if their observation is not 

 impeded, they will go direct to it ; but if a hill intervenes, 

 so as to entirely obstruct their sight, they may be usually 

 found clustered in a body, not far from the direct line, before 

 they descend the hill on its opposite side. It is believed 

 that the wind, in such cases, usually sags them out of their 

 course ; and although it may be but a few steps, yet the 

 bees get so confused that they are compelled to reorganize 

 before they can proceed on their journey. 



Experience has taught that it is best to remove the new 

 swarm, immediately after hiving, to the place where it is in- 

 tended to stand during the season. We never lost a swarm 

 by flight when this was done. They are creatures of habit, 

 and very soon become associated with the objects and places 

 about them ; and if their hive and companions are not found 

 in the usual place, they have no means of finding them. 

 More or less bees are lost by every removal ; and the longer 

 they remain in the place where they arc hived, the more will 

 be lost when removed. 



No confusion or noise which is uncommon to the bees 

 should ever be made during their swarming or hiving. The 

 only effect of noise, ringing of bells, &c., that Ve could ever 

 discover, was, to render them the more hostile and unman- 

 ageable. It is indeed true, that swarms of bees have some- 



