PREPARATION OF HIVES FOR SWARMS. 49 
being arrested by this means, by persons at work in corn-fields. But 
when a swarm has a place of residence selected, prior to leaving the 
pareut hive, (and one with which they are satisfied,) it is very diffi- 
cult to induce them to abandon their purpose, and be contented to 
remain in a hive even should they be hived; for they will occasion- 
ally leave a hive in such cases, even after remaining in it for two or 
three days, and constructing combs the size of a person's hand. If, 
however, good clean hives of suitable dimensions, well ventilated, are 
provided, and kept well protected from the rays of the sun at the time 
of hiving, and for several days efterwards, there will be but little 
danger of swarms leaving after being introduced into such hives. 
PREPARATION OF HIVES FOR THE RECEPTION OF SWARMS. 
Various are the opinions of bee-keepers in regard to the best mate- 
tials to be used in washing or rubbing hives, previous to hiving bees 
in: some use one thing and others another ; but I am satisfied that it 
makes but a little difference what is used, provided the hive is per- 
fectly clean to commence with. If the hive is an old one that bees 
have formerly occupied, it should be thoroughly scalded, to destroy 
the larvee of moths or other insects. Ifa new, clean hive,.a littlé salt 
and cold water, to cool the hive, or a little honey and water, or salt 
and water, sweetened with either honey, molasses, or sugar; these 
ingredients may be applied to the hive with a sponge, or, a8 some pre- 
fer, peach leaves, others hickory, others clover, and others bee-balm ; 
the latter is, I am satisfied, preferable to either of the others. I gene- 
rally use a table for the hive to stand upon, spread a cloth or cover 
over it, and place two sticks of wood near the centre for the hive to 
stand upon; these may be two or three inches in diameter ; these raise 
the hive from the cloth and give the bees free access into the hive, and 
also admit a free circulation of air under the hive, which facilitates the 
bees entering it, and renders them less liable to leave the hive. Should 
they be disposed to cluster on the outside the hive, sprinkle them 
lightly with cold water, and with a dust brush or a fowl's wing, brush 
them gently down towards the bottom of the hive, and by repeating 
this operation two or three times they will usually all enter. 
3 
