CHAPTER II. 



ON SWAKMING AND HIVING. 



The apiarian, or bee-owner, should have hiS hives in 

 readiness, and in their places in the apiary, with the drawers 

 in their chambers, bottom up, so as to prevent entrance. 



When a swarm comes forth, and has alighted, cut off the 

 limb, if convenient ; shake it gently, so as to disengage the 

 bees, and let them fall gently on to the table, board, or 

 ground, as the case may be ; place the hive over them be- 

 fore many rise into the air, taking care at the same time to 

 lay one or more sticks in such a manner as to raise the hive 

 so as to give the bees rapid ingress and egress. If the bees 

 act reluctantly in taking possession of their new habitation, dis- 

 turb them by brushing them with a goose-quill or some other 

 instrument, not harsh, and they will soon enter. In case it is 

 found necessary to invert the hive to receive the bees, (which 

 is frequent, from their manner of alighting,) then first secure 

 the drawers down to the floor, by inserting a handkerchief 

 or something above them : now invert the hive and shake 

 or brush the bees into it : then turn it gently right-end up 

 on the table, or other place, observing the rule aforesaid. 



REMARKS. 



When there are no fruit trees n"or shrubbery in the imme- 

 diate vicinity of the bees, it is found that they will cluster 

 on bushes artificially set down about the hives ; say, take 

 hemlock, cedar, or sugar-maple bushes, six, eight, or ten 



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