AETIFICIAIi SWARMS. 189 



wedges, sprinlde them with a little water to drive them in, 

 and disturb them gently Avith a stick. Now smoke and 

 invert it, setting an empty hive over. If the two hives 

 are of one size, and have been made by a workman, there 

 will be no chance for the bees to escape, except through 

 the holes in the side, these you will stop. With a light 

 hammer or stick strike the hive a few times lightly, and let 

 it remain five minutes. This is very essential, as it allows 

 the bees to fill themselves with honey. All regular swarms 

 go forth so laden. A supply is necessary when bad 

 weather soon follows. The amount of honey carried out 

 of a stock by a good swarm, together with the weight of 

 the bees, (which is not much,) varies from five to eight 

 pounds. 



When the bees have filled their sacks, proceed to drive 

 them into the upper hive, by striking the lower one rapid- 

 ly fi'om five to ten minutes. A loud humming will mark 

 their first movement. When you think half or two-thirds 

 are out, raise the hive and make an examination. They 

 are not at all disposed to sting in this stage of the proceed- 

 ing, even when they escape outside. If fuU of honey, 

 they are seldom provoked to resentment. The only care 

 necessary, is not to crush too many between the edges of 

 the hives. The loud buzzing is no sign of anger. If your 

 swarm is not large enough, continue to drive until it is. 

 When done, the new hive should be set on the stand of 

 the old one. A few minutes will decide whether you have 

 the queen with the swarm, as they will remain quiet if she 

 is present ; but if she is not, they will be uneasy and run 

 about, when it will be necessary to drive again. 



MANNER OV PLACING THE STANDS. 



If both hives are one color, set the old one two feet in 

 front, but if of different colors, a little farther. This is 

 for the box hives. 



