Texas Beekeeping. 



99 



proper precautions are taken to keep the colonies comfortable and 

 contented so the desire to swarm is not awakened in them. In some 

 seasons the desire to swarm is greater than in others, consequently 

 more difficult to control. 



A fact that should be remembered by. the beekeeper in his efforts 

 toward swarm control, is that if swarming can be kept in check until 

 the honey flow begins, all swarming preparations will come to an end. 

 That a honey flow will put a quietus to the swarming desires of the 

 bees is generally known among Texas beekeepers. Instead of con- 

 tinuing swarming preparations, they divert all their activities to gath- 

 ering and storing honey, and, as a general rule, no more swarming 

 may be feared. 



This is entirely unlike the conditions in the North and East, where 

 the opening of the honey flow brings with it wholesale swarming 



An Ideal clugtered swarm of bees. 



that is more difficult to control and keep the forces in such a state 

 that a paying crop of honey may be secured. It is by far an easier 

 matter to control swarming before the honey flow comes, as exists in 

 Texas, and where the bees cease swarming entirely upon the opening 

 of the honey flow. 



PREVENTING APTERSWARMS. 



After a first, or prime, swarm has issued, the old colony is left 

 queenless,. having, however, queen cells that will hatch in about eight 

 days; or, if the first swarm has been delayed, in less time than that. 

 It will take a longer time, of course, if queen cells were not already 

 started, but in this case the queenless bees will proceed to start these 

 cells at once. 



If the old colony is still strong in numbers, they may swarm again 

 in nine days' time. Otherwise, only one queen will be allowed to 



