144 Abnormal Swarming. 



tion of the honey yield. It is commonly observed that 

 while a moderate yield of honey is very provocative of 

 swarming, a heavy flow seems frequently to absorb the 

 entire attention of the bees, and so destroy the swarming 

 impulse entirely. Cells thus destroyed are easily recog- 

 nized, as they are torn open from the side and not cut back 

 from the end. 



Swarming out at other times, especially in late winter 

 and spring, is sometimes noticed by apiarists. This is 

 doubtless due to famine, mice, or some other disturbing 

 circumstance which makes the hive intolerable to the bees. 



