S1VAKMIN0. li")7 



iiig down. If you succeed in getting nearly all the bees at 

 the first effort, merely shaking the branch will be sufficient 

 to prevent the remainder from alighting, and will turn 

 their attention below, where those which have already 

 found a hive will be doing their best to call them. When 

 the hi\e is first turned over, most of the bees will fall on 

 the board and rush out, but as soon as they realize that a 

 home is found, they will commence buzzing. This quickly 

 communicates the fact to those outside, who inimediately 

 turn about and hum in concert while marching in. 



Another plan may be adopted if they light very high, 

 when the branch is not too' large, and there is not too 

 much in the way below it. Have ready two or three light 

 poles of suitable length, with a branch at-the upper end, 

 large enough to support a bushel basket. Raise the basket 

 directly under the sWarm, and with another pole dislodge 

 all the bees. They will fall into it and may be quickly let 

 down. Now, if you have secured nearly all, throw a sheet 

 over them for a few moments to prevent their escape. 

 They soon become quiet, when they may be hived, and 

 but few will return to the branch, as many will do when 

 they are put in the hive immediately. When fliany 

 swarms are to be brought down in this way, a bag may bo 

 prepared Avhich can be put up among the branches where 

 it would be difficult to use a basket. Sew a hoop around 

 the top of a bag, and fasten one side of it to a piece Qf 

 wood two inches square, and three feet long, four inchfes 

 from one end. Brace the hoop with a strong wire fastened 

 six inches below. Around the lower end of the stick, fas- 

 ten a band of hoop iron twelve inches long, in such a 

 manner that it wUl form a loop two inches in diameter, on 

 one side, and make another loop one inch in diameter, in 

 the same way, one foot above. Light poles of different 

 lengths should be fitted into these bands. 



When ready to operate, put in a pole long enough to 



