SWARMING. 175 



EXCEPTIONS. 



I have known first swarms to issue in a wind that kept 

 every branch of tree and bush in such agitation that it was 

 impossible to find any upon whicli they could cluster. 

 After a few fruitless attempts they gave it up, and came 

 down on " terra firma." This occurred after several days 

 of rainy weather. The next day being pleasant, many 

 swarms issued, almost proving that the wind on the preced- 

 ing day had kept a part of them back. I have also known 

 them to issue in a shower that beat many of them to the 

 ground before they could cluster. In these cases the 

 shower was sudden, the sun shining almost at the moment 

 it began to rain. During a long period of wet, cloudy 

 weather they seem to become impatient, and come out 

 quite unexpectedly — contrary to all rules. 



APTEK-SWAKMS. 



After-swarms are all that issue after the first, called se- 

 cond, third, etc., for convenience. They differ in their 

 conduct from the first swarms, as also do some first swarms 

 when the old queen has been lost, and they are led out by 

 a young queen. 



THEIR SIZE. ■ 



Second swarms are usually half as large as the first, the 

 third half as large as the second, etc., with some variations. 

 I give general features, noticing only the exceptions that 

 occur most frequently. 



WHEN EXPECTED. 



Whenever, in a prosperous season, the first swarm is 

 not kept back by foul weather, the first of the young 

 queens in the old colony is ready to emerge from the cell 

 in seven or eight days. .The second swarm may be ex- 

 pected in about two days thereafter. 



