218' NATURAL SWARMING. 
the swarm would build and raise brood in the upper story, 
intended only for surplus honey. 
427. When the hive is thus prepared and placed ina 
convenient position, the entrance should be opened as wide 
as possible. If it has a movable-bottom-board, it should be 
raised from it in front (844), and the entrance-blocks in- 
serted under its edges, so as to leave a larger passage for 
the swarm, that the bees may get in as soon as possible ; and 
a well-stretched sheet, or coarse cloth, should be securely 
fastened to the alighting-board, to keep them from becom- 
ing separated, or soiled by dirt; for, if separated, they are 
a long time in entering; and a bee covered with dust or 
dirt is very apt to perish. Bees are much obstructed in 
their travel, by any corner, or great inequality of surface ; 
and if the sheet is not smoothly stretched, they are often so 
confused, that it takes them a long time to find the entrance 
to the hive. 
428. If the bees have alighted on a small limb, which 
can be cut with sharp pruning-shears, without jarring the 
swarm, or damaging the value of the tree, they may be gently 
carried on it to the hiving-sheet, in front of their new home. 
If they seem at all reluctant to enter it, gently scoop up a 
few of them with a large spoon, or a leafy twig, or 
even with the fingers (72), and shake them close to its en- 
trance. As they goin with fanning wings, they will raise 
a peculiar note, which communicates to their companions 
the joyful news that they have found a home; and in a 
short time, the whole swarm will enter, without injury to a 
single bee. 
When bees are once shaken down on the sheet, they are 
quite unwilling to take wing again; for, being loaded with 
honey, they desire, like heavily-armed troops, to march 
slowly and sedately to their place of encampment. 
429. When they alight on a high limb, which cannot be 
reached, or when the limb is too valuable to be sacrificed, 
