SWAIIMING. 173 



SWAUMS SOMETIMES JIETHIIN. 



Occasionally a swann will issue, and iu a few minutes 

 return to the old stock. The most common cause is the 

 inability of the old queen to fly, on account of her burden 

 of eggs, or old age. I have sometimes, after the swarm 

 had returned, found the queen nfear the hive, and put her 

 back ; and the next day she would come out again, and 

 fly without difliculty, probably having discharged some of 

 her eggs. 



They are more apt to return in windy weather, or when 

 the sun is partially obscured by clouds. About three- 

 fourths of such swarms will not re-issue until a young 

 queen is matured, eight or ten days afterwards, and a few 

 not at all. But when the queen returns with the swarm, 

 they usually come out again the next day, but sometimes 

 not before the third or fourth day after. I have known 

 a few instances, when they issued again the same day. 



Sometimes a swarm will issue and return three or four 

 days in succession, but this may generally be remedied, as 

 it is often owing to some inability of the queen ; and she 

 may frequently be found whUe the swarm is leaving, out- 

 side the hive, unable to fly. In such circumstances, have 

 a tumbler ready and secure her as soon as she appears. 

 Get the empty hive for the swarm, and a large cloth, and 

 put down a bottom-board a few feet from the stock. The 

 swann is sure to come back, and the first bees that alight 

 on the hive will set up the caU. As soon as yo.u perceive 

 this, lose no time in setting, the old stock on the board at 

 one side, throwing the cloth over it to keep out the bees. 

 Put the new one in its place on the stand, and the queen 

 in it; in a few minutes the swarm will be in the new 

 hive, when it can be removed and the old one replaced. 

 But should the swarm begin to cluster in a convenient 

 place, when you have so caught the queen, by being ex- 

 peditious she may be put with them, before they have 



