25 
of the colonies, and is consistent with the securing of the largest average yield of 
honey, since, besides giving them vigorous layers, it generally keeps the population 
together in powerful colonies. It is therefore to be commended on all accounts as 
being in line with the most progressive management, without at the same time 
interfering with the application of other preventive measures. 
Space near entrances.—Arranging frames with starters, or combs merely begun, 
between the brood nest and the flight hole of the hive, while the bees are given 
storing space above or back of the brood nest (figs. 7 and 8), isa plan strongly rec- 
ommended by Mr. Samuel Simmins, of England, and which has come to be known 
“the Simmins nonswarming method,’ some features of it and the combination 
into a well-defined method having been original with him. It is an excellent pre- 
ventive measure, though not invariably successful, even when the distinctive features 
brought forward prominently by Mr. Simmins—empty space between the brood 
combs and entrance, together with the employment of drawn combs in the supers— 
are supplemented by other measures 
already mentioned; but when, in 
addition to the space between the 
brood and the flight hole, the precau- 
tion be taken to get supers on in time, 
oa 
: 
to ventilate the hive well, and to 
keep queens not over two years old, 
swarming will be very limited. If to 
these precautions be added that of 
substituting for the old queens young 
ones of the current season’s raising, 
before swarming has begun, practical 
immunity from swarming is generally 
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insured. 
Selection in breeding.—Some races 
of bees show greater inclination than 
others toward swarming, and the same 
difference can be noted between indi- 
vidual colonies of a given race; there- 
fore, whatever methods be adopted to 
prevent or limit increase, no doubt 
the constant selection of those queens 
to breed from whose workers show 
the least tendency toward swarming 
would in time greatly reduce this disposition. Indeed, it is perfectly consistent to 
believe that persistent effort, coupled with rigid and intelligent selection, will event- 
ually result in a strain of bees quite as much entitled to be termed nonswarming 
as certain breeds of fowls which have been produced by artificial selection are to be 
called nonsitters. These terms are of course only relative, being merely indicative of 
the possession of a certain disposition in a less degree than that shown by others of 
the same species. It might never be possible to change the nature of our honeybees 
so completely that they would never swarm under any circumstances, and even if 
possible it would take a long period, so strongly implanted seems this instinct. But 
to modify it is within the reach of any intelligent breeder who will persistently make 
the effort. Such work should be undertaken in experimental apiaries where its con- 
tinuance when a single point has been gained will not be affected by the changes of 
individual fortunes. 
69 
SAN 
Hue 
LLM EER ELLE 
Fig, §.—The Simmins nonswarming system—double- 
story hive with supers: bc, brood chamber; “sc, 
supers; st, chamber with starters of comb founda- 
tion; e, entrance. 
