SWARMING. 163 



NOTniNG BUT BEES NECESSABT IN A HIVE. 



I will not say positively that all these things do harm, 

 yet I am quite sure that they do no good, as nothing is 

 needed but bees in a hive. Is it reasonable to suppose that 

 they are fond of all the " knick-knacks " given them ? I 

 have never used any, and could not possibly have done 

 much better. I am careful to have the hive sweet and 

 clean, and not too smooth inside ; an old hive that has 

 been used before, is scalded and scraped. 



But to the manner in which people get the bees in, 

 after the hive is ready. A table with a cloth spread over 

 it, is set out, and the hive prepared as above, is set upon 

 it. K they succeed in getting the swarm even on the 

 outside of the hive, it is left ; if it goes in, it is well ; if it 

 goes off, " better luck next time." The hive is left unshel- 

 tered in the hot sun, and when there is no wind the heat 

 is SQon insupportable, or at least very oppressive. The 

 bees hang in loose strings instead of a compact body, as 

 when kept cool. They are very apt to fall, and when they 

 do, will rush out on every side ; if the queen chance to 

 drop with them, they may " step out." Two-thirds of all 

 the bees that go to the woods, are managed in this, or a 

 similar manner, and may it not be said they are fairly 

 driven off? 



Hives painted some dark color will become intolerably 

 warm in the sun, and are often deserted. The rank smell 

 of newly painted hives of any color, often causes the bees 

 to leave for more pleasant quarters in the woods. 



Perhaps one swarm in three hundred will depart for the 

 woods without clustering. But I have never had one 

 leave me thus. Yet I have indisputable evidence that some 

 will do it. 



