18 ITALIAN SEE KEEPING. 



half, make two hivea, which might be completed by adding empty 

 frames at both ends of each of them. 



However, to proceed regnlarly, this operation of making an 

 artificial swarm shonld be performed about noon on a fine day in 

 May or Jnne, ten or fifteen days before the hire wonld swarm 

 naturally . One of the signs of that coming exodns is that the bees 

 cluster by day and night around the entrance to the hive. 



The bees then are crowded, and if no more room be given them, 

 either by adding new fi-ames or making an artificial swarm (either 

 of which plans may be adopted with a Giotto hive), the bees wiE 

 soon emigrate to look out for and populate a new home, as their 

 own has become too small to hold them — or, in short, they will 

 swarm. 



To make an artificial swarm, first loosen the frames not only from 

 the floor, but also one from another ; then draw out, with the bees 

 clustering on them, every second frame of the old hive, until yon 

 have a number certainly not more than half of the frames. As 

 you proceed arrange these frames alternately with empty ones on a 

 small table. When you take them out of the old hive examine them 

 one by one, to see if the old queen is on either of them ; you will 

 easily recognise her, as she is very much longer in the body, and has 

 much shorter wings, than the working bee. 



If you do not find the queen, then proceed first to replace the gaps 

 you have made in the old hive, by putting in empty frames, and the 

 old hive will then be complete. To complete the other hive, as you 

 have already inserted empty frames, it is only necessary to add end 

 boards. 



If you have not found the queen on any of the frames taken, 

 carry away the old hive (in the way already described) to a distant 

 site, and put the new hive in its pla«e. 



On the other hand, on examining the frames, should yon have 

 found the queen on either of the first frames extracted, so long as 

 you have taken at least four frames, it wUl not be necessary to take 

 more ; and, having added empty ones and end boards, then simply 

 carry away this your newly.made hive, and put it where you 

 Uke. 



When you thus take out many frames, you will have an excellent 

 opportunity of seeing it moths have attacked the combs. If so, at 

 once cut the moth-eaten comb out, and clean the hive. 



To Stock a Giotto Hive with a Natukai, Swakm. 



When a swarm leaves the hive it generally at first alights on a 

 neighbouring tree or bush. As soon as the bees have settled, 

 sprinkle them with water to impede their flight, and take as many 



