IT'S SWAEJCING. 



trouble. All the bees may be put into one hive, with the 

 surplus boxes on the top, and if necessary an empty hive 

 under. There is room on the top for one-third more box- 

 es, than on the box hive. If the weather has been good, 

 they may be divided in a week, by putting half the combs 

 in an empty hive, and proceeding as directed in chap. xi. 



If you have empty combs on hand, divide the swarms 

 at once. As soon as you ascertain which has no queen, 

 shut it up, and when it is so dark that the bees will not 

 fly, put them in the hive containing combs. Previously 

 insert a small piece of comb containing brood, from which 

 they may raise a queen, that is, when you can not furnish 

 a queen or queen cell. 



If you have a laying queen to spare, it is not all impor- 

 tant to have combs for the queenless division ; simply 

 put them in an empty hive, and give them a caged queen. 

 If they do not stay willingly, confine them a day or two ; 

 when the queen is set at liberty they will usually be con- 

 tented. 



The difference in time gained by giving them a laying 

 queen, instead of the means of rearing one, is about three 

 weeks, equivalent in value to a small swarm. I have but 

 little doubt that an improved system of bee culture will 

 make it profitable to rear queens, and keep them on hand 

 for such emergencies, as well as for aU occasions where 

 new queens are needed. It will sometimes insure a gain 

 equal to the difference between a fair profit and actual 

 loss. Should a new swarm lose its queen, you may intro- 

 duce one in a cage immediately, liberating her in about 

 forty-eight hours. 



Another means of keeping swarms separate is the 

 " swarm-catcher," made by covering a frame with fine net- 

 ting, to be set before the hive when the swarm is issuing. 

 But as it seems to keep back part of the swarm, and is iri- 

 so open to other objections, I have laid it aside. 



