MANUAL OP THE APIARY. 103 



Tnistaken. It is followed by a lower, hoarser note, made by 

 ^ queen still within the cell. 



Some have supposed that the cry of the liberated queen 

 was that of hate, while that by the queen still imprisoned 

 was either of enmity or fear. Never will an after-swarm 

 leave, unless preceded by this peculiar note. 



At successive periods of one or two days, one, two, or even 

 three more colonies may issue from the old home. These last 

 swarms will all be heralded by the piping of the queen. 

 They will be less particular as to the time of day when they 

 issue, as they have been known to leave before sun-rise, and 

 even after sun-set. The well-known apiarist,. Mr. A. F. 

 Moon, once knew a swarm to issue by moon-light. They will, 

 too, as a rule, cluster farther from the hive. The after 

 swarms are preceded by the queen, and in case swarming is 

 delayed, may be attended by a plurality of queens. Berlepsch 

 and Langstroth both saw eight queens issue with a swarm, 

 while others report even more. These virgin queens fly very 

 rapidly, so the swarm will seem more active and definite in 

 their course than will first swarms. 



The cutting short of swarming preparations before the 

 second, third, or even the first swarm issues, is by no means 

 a rare occurrence. This is effected by the bees' destroying the 

 queen-cells, and sometimes by a general extermination of the 

 drones, and is generally to be explained by a cessation of the 

 honey yield. Cells thus destroyed are easily recognized, as 

 they are torn open from the side, and not cut back from the 

 end. 



Swarming out at other times, especially in late winter and 

 spring, is sometimes noticed by apiarists. This is due to 

 famine, mice, or some other disturbing circumstance, which 

 makes the hive intolerable to the bees. 



