ITALIAN BBS KEEPING. 19 



frames as will easily aocommodato the swarm. If it be a large May 

 swarm, take about eight ; if a smaller and later swarm, then take 

 fewer frames. First smear aU the triangular pieces along the tops 

 with bits of honeycomb ; then tie all the frames together in a row 

 by passing two bits of twine thi'ough the frames, next tying one 

 round all the front bars of hive, and the other round all the back 

 bars. When the hive is brought home and put in its plaoe, out 

 away these strings. Take one side, and also a flat piece of wood, 

 instead of the other with the oblique strut, as the latter would 

 prevent the hive being set upright on end. 



Now weigh aU these frames while they are empty, and again 

 weigh them when you bring them back full of bees ; the increase 

 of weight will of course be the weight of the swarm, on which 

 depends its value. Don't buy a swarm after the middle of June. A 

 May swarm is the best. 



If the swarm to be taken be hanging on a low bush, put the 

 hive upright on the simple bit of wood (having first passed a string 

 round board and frames, lengthwise, and tied it with a slip-knot) , 

 with the open end of hive directly under the swarm ; then (with hat 

 and veil on), with one good jerk shake the swarm into the box, and 

 put the other end board on the top, leaving one corner uncovered 

 for the bees that have not been shaken in to find their own way in. 

 Should there be detached portions of the swarm on small twigs, 

 cut these off with garden scissors, and shake the bees into the 

 hive. 



After about twenty minutes, when the bees are nearly all settled 

 in the hive, take off the upper end board, untie the slip-knot, and, 

 having regularly replaced the upper end board, tie the string 

 tightly over it, and then, lifting the hive up by the under bit of 

 board, as with a tray, carry it to its place, and set it down 

 horizontally. 



Should the swarm have alighted on a small upper branch of a 

 tree, having first arranged the hive on the ground as directed, 

 then climb up the tree, and gently saw off the branch, always keep- 

 ing hold with one hand the end with swarm ; gently descend, with 

 bees stUL clustering to the branch sawn off (or, if possible, lower it 

 to the ground with a string without shaking off the bees). Then 

 shake them into the hive. 



A large feather will be found very useful, for with it the bees may 

 be gently brushed into the hive. I once took a swarm of bees 

 which were spread over the tiles on the roof of a house. I put 

 beside them the empty hive, and, having with a feather swept the 

 queen and a large group into a fire shovel, I put them gently into 

 the hive, and the rest of the swarm soon followed. 



If the swarm, after leaving the old hive, remains long hovering 



