Texas Beekeeping. 97 



observed in hollow trees, where it was thought a ' ' bee tree ' ' had been 

 discovered, but closer examination frightened the bees away by the 

 disappointed discoverer. In many cases a swarm was found in pos- 

 session of the same hollow tree soon after. 



In one instance bees were issuing back and forth from a knot-hole 

 in the wall of a building, right under the eaves. But after a few raps 

 were made on the wall they soon dispersed. As a forethought, or 

 fearing that a swarm might enter there, the opening was closed with 

 soft soap. Seven days passed by when, about noon, a roaring noise, 

 near the building, proved to be a very large swarm, which was trying 

 to enter the knot-hole in the wall. They finally settled on a small 

 tree near the building, and were hived. 



Whether all colonies send out such scouting parties, or whether 

 certain colonies always do, would be hard to determine. It is known 

 that they do this very often, however. These parties vary in num- 

 bers. Most of them are composed only of two dozen bees or more, 

 while the one mentioned above consisted of quite a large number of 

 bees> resembling very much a miniature swarm. The actions of the 

 bees, however, were very much unlike those of a swarm. 



It is therefore important that the swarms be hived immediately 

 upon clustering, and then moved away to the stand to be occupied, 

 so that returning scouts, if any have been sent out, will fail to find 

 the swarms and hence prevent them leaving for the selected abode. 



SWARM PREVENTION. 



The amateur looks upon natural swarming with delight, so he 

 may count his hives in greater numbers, and it seems to him the only 

 way of increasing his bees. The experienced beekeeper, however, re- 

 gards natural swarming as a real nuisance, especially if his colonies 

 run up into the hundreds, -scattered in several, or many, apiaries. 

 This is due to the fact that it requires a good deal of watchfulness 

 and much hard labor, on the part of the apiarist, during the swarm- 

 ing season, for excessive swarming may not only cause a loss of bees, 

 but a greater loss in the honey crop on account of the weakened 

 forces to gather it. Swarming is, however, known well enough now 

 so that it is no longer feared as it used to be, and, although it may 

 always be a hindrance to a more or less extent in keeping a large 

 number of apiaries, and the production of the greatest amount of 

 honey, it can be so regulated and controlled that beekeeping is profit- 

 able. Many methods are employed by which the end of swarm pre- 

 vention may be achieved. 



One of the chief requisites is a large hive, so manipulated that the 

 bees may be kept at work and contented. A cramped brood nest, in 

 which the egg laying room of the queen is restricted, and the other- 

 wise crowded condition, the lack of storing room and improper ven- 

 tilation of the hive, are all factors tending to produce the "swarming 

 fever." By looking after these details properly it can be held in check 

 to a marked degree. 



Ventilation can be given by increasing the size of the entrance, 

 simply placing a small stone or a piece of wood under the front of 

 the hive after it has been raised by inserting the hive-tool into the 



