SWARMING. 155 



the first one, and the rest following her, as we arc often 

 told she does, you have seen what I never did in a first 

 swarm. I have occasionally seen the old queen issue, but 

 not before the swarm was half out. Second and third 

 swarms conduct themselves quite differently. 



The bees, when first rising from the hive, describe cir- 

 cles of but few feet, but as they recede, they spread over 

 an area of several rods. Their movements are much 

 slower than usual. In a few moments thousands may be 

 seen revolving in every possible direction. A swarm may 

 be seen and heard at a distance where fifty hivfes at ordi- 

 nary work would not be noticed. 



SWABM CLUSTBBS. 



When all are out of the hive, or soon after, some branch 

 of a tree or bush is usually selected upon which to cluster. 

 In less than half a minute after the spot is indicated, even 

 when the bees are spread over an acre, they ai-e gathered 

 in the immediate vicinity, and all cluster in a body, in 

 from five to ten minutes after leaving the hive. They 

 should be hived immediately, as they show impatience if 

 left long, especially in the sun; also if another colony 

 should send out a swarm whUe they were hanging there, 

 they would be quite sure to unite. 



HOW TO DO IT. 



It makes but little difference in what way they are put 

 into the hive, provided they are all made to go in. Pro- 

 ceed as is most convenient ; an old table or bench is very 

 good to keep them out of the grass, should there happen to 

 be any. If there is nothing in the way, lay your bottom- 

 board on the ground, make it level, set your hive on it 

 and raise one edge an inch or more with small sticks or 

 stones, to give the bees a chance to enter. 



Cut off the branch on which the bees are hanging, if it 



