180 SWAKMIXG. 



PKOPKIETY OF KETUKNUSTG THEJI. 



Much has been said about returning all after-swarms to 

 the old stock. The advantages will depend on the time of 

 issuing, the yield of honey, etc. It would be unusual to 

 have many after-swarms without a liberal yield of honey 

 for the time being, but the continuation of the supply is 

 uncertain. If honey continues plentiful, second and even 

 third swarms, if early, may be hived, and prosper. The 

 apiarian here needs.judgment and experience. 



It is always best, if possible, to have good strong fam- 

 iUes. When after-swarms are late, it is safest to return 

 them, as the old colony will need them to rejjlenish the 

 hive, and prepare for winter. Also, it will be less infested 

 with worms when well provided with bees, and there are 

 more chances of obtaining box-honey. But the process of 

 returning such, requires some patience and perseverance. 

 I have said that there maybe a dozen young queens in the 

 old stock. Suppose that one or more leaves with the 

 swarm, and you return the whole, there is nothing to pre- 

 vent their leading out the swarm again the next day. 

 Therefore it is policy to retain the queens. It is the least 

 trouble to hive them in the usual way, and let them stand 

 till the next morning. This will save you the perplexity 

 of looking for more than one queen, if there should be 

 more, for all but one will be destroyed by that time. 



There is a chance also for the jsarent hive to decide that 

 no more shall issue, and allow all but one to be slain there. 

 When this is the case, and you find the one with the 

 swarm, you will have no further trouble. They should be 

 returned as soon as the next morning, otherwise they 

 might not agree, even in the old home. To return them, 

 and find the queen easily, get a sheet or a wide board a few 

 feet long ; let one end rest on the ground, the other near the 

 entrance that they may enter the hive without flying ; shake 

 the swarm out on the lower end, and they will commence 



