158 FORTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES. 



when swarms did issue, so I will give an account of my 

 management when I formerly allowed the bees to swarm. 



•WATCHING FOR SWARMS. 



With as many as loo colonies in an apiary, the one 

 who is on watch can hardly be allowed to do anything 

 else. The regular noise is so great among so many that 

 the added noise of a swarm is hardly noticed ; so sight, 

 not hearing, must be depended on. I have gone on with 

 my regular work and taken a look once in five or ten min- 

 utes along the rows to see if any swarms were out, but 

 it is not a very satisfactory way of doing. A bright boy 

 or girl can watch very well, if faithful. It is not neces- 

 sary, of course, to watch all day ; and the weather has 

 much to do with the hours at which swarms may be ex- 

 pected. On a hot morning a swarm may issue as early as 

 6 o'clock ; but this is exceptional, and if the weather has 

 been cloudy through the day, clearing off bright and 

 warm in the after part, a swarm may issue after 4 o'clock. 

 Ordinarily, however, it is not necessary to be on the look- 

 out before 8 a. m., or much after 2 p. m. I had a swarm 

 issue once in a shower, but that is so unlikely to occur 

 that I would not think it worth while to keep any watch 

 at such a time. 



The watcher will soon learn the points of advantage 

 from which he can easily command a view of the whole 

 apiary, not needing to stir from his seat unless a swarm 

 issues. Sometimes, however, there is so much playing 

 going on among the bees, that there is no alternative but 

 to travel about and take a close look at each colony that 

 shows unusual excitement. It is an advantage at this 

 time to have the hives in long rows. I have 30 or 40 

 hives in a row. At the middle is a shady place to sit. 

 A clock or watch lies in open sight so that a look at every 

 hive may be taken once in five minutes. If there is no 



