BEE-KEEPING IN WAR-TIME 13 



take a long, long flight before alighting, or they may even 

 enter some cavity such as a disused chimney flue, or under 

 the roof of a house difficult of access, and from which it is 

 almost impossible to evict them. To prevent them abscond- 

 ing in this manner, water should be sprinkled amongst them 

 by means of a garden syringe, or failing this, handfuls of earth 

 thrown up amongst them gives the impression that it is rain- 

 ing, and down they come to cluster. 



The temporary home may consist of an empty straw hive ; 

 a wooden bucket or box will do just as well. The box bucket 

 or skep is held under the cluster with one hand, while with 

 the other the branch upon which the bees are resting is 

 given a few vigorous shakes, so that they are dislodged and 

 fall into the waiting receptacle. This is then turned over gently 

 to give the bees time to gain foothold upon its interior to 

 cluster ; it should stand on a board with a brick under the 

 edge to allow the hot air to come out and cool air to enter. 

 Bees wiU die very quickly unless ample ventilation is pro- 

 vided. To keep them cool and contented, their resting-place 

 must be shaded from the sun by placing over it an opened 

 umbrella, or covering it lightly with a sheet ; the latter may 

 with advantage be damped with cold water from time to 

 time. 



The disadvantage of obtaining increase by natural swarms 

 is that much time is wasted by watching for their exit, and 

 when they do come out there is always the danger of losing 

 them. On this account the keeper of bees in modern hives 

 who requires increase makes it by artificial means. Knowing 

 the habits of the bee this is an easy matter. 



The cardinal points to remember in making artificial swarms 

 are that bees locate position and not the hive, and that 

 it is the old flying bees and old queen which constitute the 

 swarm. 



It is useless to try to make artificial swarms from weak 

 stocks. Commence to stimulate those it is desired to manipu- 

 late for this purpose about the end of March, or beginning of 

 April, according to the weather, so that the hive is teeming 

 with bees at the beginning of May. 



About ten o'clock on the morning of a day that is warm, 

 and the sun shining, bring out the new hive, which has been 

 fully prepared by painting the outside, and fitting the frames 

 with full sheets of wired worker base foundation. Examine 

 -the combs in the stock to be dealt with until the queen is 



