24 AX EASY METHOD 



Before the bees sally forth, they fill their sacks with honey, 

 and some of them carry bread on their legs, which supplies 

 their wants, till they have found a new residence, and laid 

 the foundation of their cells. In a very crowded state of the 

 hive, many bees are sometimes compelled to lie out before 

 the queen leaves, and, in the confusion of swarming, not 

 being apprised of her intention to depart, leave without filling 

 their sacks, and this is one cause of the irritability they man 

 ifest. This difficulty is obviated in the Vermont hive. [See 

 Appendix.] The drawers furnish them room for their labors 

 till the queen and all her followers have finished their ar- 

 rangements, and are not compelled to leave empty-handed. 



Another reason why bees are sometimes irritable, and are 

 disposed to sting when they swarm, is, the air is forbidding 

 to them, by being cold, windy, damp, extremely hot, or other- 

 wise, so as to impede them in their determined emigration. 

 In all such cases, the apiarian should be furnished with a veil 

 made of millinet, or some light covering, which may be 

 thrown over his hat, and let down so low as to cover his face 

 and bosom, and fixed in such a manner as to prevent their 

 stinging. He should also put on a pair of thick woollen gloves 

 or stockings over his hands, thus managing them without the 

 least danger. Woollen gloves allow the bee to withdraw 

 his sting. Leather retains the sting and kills the bee. 



Experience and observation have taught that the queen 

 leaves the old stock first, and her colony rapidly follow. 

 They fly about a few minutes, apparently in the greatest 

 confusion, until the swarm is principally out of the hive. 

 They then alight, generally on the limb of some tree, shrub, 

 or bush, or some other place convenient for them to cluster 

 in a bunch not far from the old stock, and make their ar- 

 rangements for a journey to a new habitation. Perhaps not 

 one swarm in a thousand know where they are going, until 



