16 CONSTRUCTIVE BEEKEElPING 



which leads me to remark that ventilation is constructive at the 

 proper time, and under right atmospheric conditions, but is de- 

 structive in spring and early summer, because of the low tem- 

 perature and moisture-laden atmosphere. Air that is already full 

 of moisture will be of little use in drying the air of the hive. To 

 demonstrate this a wet cloth can be hung by the hive on a night 

 of high relative humidity, and in the morning it will be far from 

 dry. It will require no great reasoning on the part of anyone to 

 see that the water vapor of the hive is not all carried away by 

 ventilation. 



SWARMING 



During a heavy flow of honey the queen gradually and some- 

 times sharply reduces the number of eggs laid per day. We know 

 that had the same thing happened during the spring building-up 

 of the colony it would have brought on the urge. Some one will 

 point to the above statement as a contradiction of the one that 

 the urge is the direct result of the actual or apparent failure 

 of the queen. We know, from observation, that they are almost 

 sure to swarm in spring or early summer when this condition^ 

 exists. In summer, with an abundant honey flow and plenty of 

 room, they rarely swarm. In the fall they quietly supercede 

 the queen. 



It is obvious that the aim or object for which they strive 

 iD each of the three periods mentioned is not the same, and that 

 the aim or object attained as the collective result of these three 

 periods, is that for which all bees are striving, the survival of 

 the colony. 



During the spring period the one purpose for which they 

 strive is numbers. Every atom of concerted energy of the colony 

 is working to increase the unit strength of the colony. When we 

 consider the advantages that numbers give for offense and de- 

 fense and general welfare, we know that they are urged on by 

 the law of the survival of the fitest. 



After this carnival of brood-rearing, when weather and field 

 conditions prompt their instinct to a realization that winter is 



