198 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



Bonner, in describing the process of swarming, 

 says : " Nothing can surely be more delightful to the 

 bee-master than to behold the young emigrants flying 

 in the air and darkening the sky with a thousand 

 varying lines, passing hither and thither in every 

 direction." It is, indeed, surprising to see the young 

 colony leaving their mother hive, deserting it in the 

 utmost hurry and precipitation, insomuch that they 

 can hardly clear the way for each other. A stranger 

 to the nature of these wonderful insects would be apt 

 to conclude that there was some formidable enemy 

 within, who was murdering them by wholesale, and 

 from whom they were flying for their lives ; or else 

 they were leaving a disagreeable habitation, where 

 there was nothing but war and poverty, and emigrating 

 to some happier spot, where they would enjoy peace 

 and plenty. But the reverse of all this is the truth, 

 for they are going away of their own accord, cheer- 

 fully parting with their dearest friends, and leaving 

 a warm habitation and well stored granary to seek 

 their fortunes in a new situation, where they will 

 have every thing to provide for themselves, and all 

 the varieties and inconstancy of weather and climate 

 to struggle against. Such is nature. 



ALIOHTING AND HIVING SWARMS. 



Swarms generally commence to cluster, within five 

 or ten minutes after issuing, sometimes upon a 

 fence or post, but most commonly on the limb of 

 some green tree, if near at hand. In my experience, 

 there lias not been more than one swarm in fiftv, and 



