SWARMING. 179 



NUMBER OF QUEENS. 



After-swavms sometimes have as many as six queens. 

 The one containing several, is usually the last from the 

 hive. When nearly all mature at once, and the workers 

 keep them confined, — feeding them of course, — they be- 

 come strong enough to fly, while in the cells. In the con- 

 fusion of swarming, the prisoners are forgotten, and they 

 come out and leave with the rest. 



DO NOT ALWAYS CHOOSE GOOD WEATHER. 



These after-swarms are not very particular about the 

 weather; heavy winds, a few clouds, and sometimes a 

 slight sprinkle will not always deter them. N'either are 

 they very precise about the time of day. Italians will is- 

 sue before six A. M. on warm mornings, and after five P. 

 M., and the black bees are often nearly as much out of 

 season. These things should be understood, because when 

 after-swarms are expected, of which the piping will give 

 warning, it behooves us to watch them in weather, and at 

 times, when first ones would not venture to leave. 



THET ao FURTHER BEFORE ALIGHTIirG. 



It is essential that some one sees them issue, else it is 

 often difficult to find the cluster. They are apt to go fur- 

 ther from the parent hive than others ; sometimes fifty 

 rods, and then often settle in two places, high and incon- 

 venient, that distance apart. Let me not be misunderstood ; 

 I do not say they all do so, or even the majority, but a 

 greater proportion of these swai-ms will do so than of the 

 first. 



If they cluster in two places, a queen may be in each, and 

 they will remain, and when you have hived one part, you 

 may think you have them all. If one cluster is without a 

 queen, they will join the other, if near ; but when distant, 

 they will very likely return to the old hive soon, unless 

 put with the others. 



