156 SWARMING. 



can be done as well as not, and shake them off in front of the 

 hive ; a jjortion will discover it and will at once commence 

 a vibration of their wings, which seems to be a call for the 

 others. A knowledge that a new home is found, seems to 

 be communicated in this way, as it is continued until all 

 have entered. A great many are apt to stop about the 

 entrance, thereby nearly or quite closing it, and preventing 

 others from going in. You can expedite their progress 

 b}' gently disturbiog them with a stick or quill. When 

 gentle means wUl not induce them to enter in a reasonable 

 time, and they appear obstinate, a little water sprinkled on 

 them will greatly facilitate operations. Be careful and not 

 overdo the matter by using too much water ; they can be 

 made so wet that they will not move at all. 



When they cluster on a branch that you do not wish to 

 cut off, arrange the bottom-board as before directed, then 

 turn the hive bottom up directly under the main part of 

 the cluster, and if you have an assistant, let him jar the 

 branch sufficiently to dislodge the bees ; most of them will 

 fall directly into the hive. If no assistant is at hand, strike 

 the under side of the branch with the bottom of the hive, 

 and when the bees have fallen in it, set it on the board ; 

 the sticks will prevent the bottom from crushing the bees. 



I have gone up a ladder twenty feet high, got the bees 

 in the hive in this way, and backed down without difficul- 

 ty. After putting the hive in its place, sometimes a piart 

 of the bees ^vi[\ go back to the alighting place ; in that 

 case a small leafy branch should be held directly under 

 and close to them, and as many jarred on it as possible. 

 Hold this still, and shake the other to prevent their clus- 

 tering there ; you will soon have them all collected, ready 

 to bring down and put by the hive. 



A basket or large tin pan may be taken up the ladder 

 instead of the hive, from which the bees can be readily 

 emptied before it. But very few will fly out in com. 



