SWAEMINC ]53 



of the queens. If a swarm were to issue as soon as honey 

 were obtained, the consequences might be fatal, as there 

 Avonld not be a numerous brood to hatch out, and replen- 

 ish the old stock with bees enough to keep out the worms. 

 "W ere they to issue at any time, as soon as the bees had 

 increased enough to spare a swarm, without regard to the 

 yield of honey, they might starve. 



Wnicn BEES ISSUE. 



I find many theories conflicting with these views which 

 need attention. It is generally supposed that a young 

 queen must be matured to issue with the swarms, aud that 

 the old queen aud old bees are permanent residents of the 

 old hive. It is probable that no rule governs the issue of 

 the workers. Old and young come out promiscuously. 

 That old bees issue with a swarm is evident from the fact 

 that sometimes not a quarter as many will be left as com- 

 menced work in the spring. Also a great many may be 

 seen in late swarms, with wings so worn as to be unable to 

 fly with the load of honey which they attempt to carry. I 

 have seen enough get down in this way, from one swarm, 

 to fill a pint measure. 



That young bees leave, any one may be satisfied on see- 

 ing a swarm issue. A great many too young and weak to 

 fly, will drop down in front of the hive, having come out 

 now for the first time, perhaps not an hour out of the cell ; 

 these very young bees may be known by their color. That 

 these may creep back to the hive, is another inducement 

 to set it near the ground. 



The old queen often gets down in the same way, but her 

 burden of eggs is probably the cause of her inability to fly. 



THE OLD QTJBEN LEAVES. 



That the old queen leaves with the first swarm is so 

 easily proved with the movable comb hive, that it is un- 

 7* 



