48 THE BOOK OF BEE-KEEPING. 



In and cluster among the frames. The dummy-board can 

 then be shifted right up to the last frame, and all covered up 

 snugly. 



87. After-treatment of Swarms. — Directly a swarm 

 is put in a hive, it should be fed with syrup, of the strength 

 recommended for spring feeding. To do this, cut holes through 

 the quilts in the form of the letter C ; thus you will have a piece 

 of the quilt to form a shutter when not feeding. The different 

 thicknesses of quilting should each have this shutter to open 

 in different directions, or the feeder will not stand level. Keep 

 the bottle continually replenished. Feeding is of very great 

 importance, especially with early swarms. When the bees have 

 been in the hive about a week, examine them, to see whether 

 all the foundation has been drawn out into combs ; if they 

 have, place two more frames of foundation in the hive, alterna- 

 ting them with built combs. Keep on feeding, and, in about 

 three days, see that these last two sheets are drawn out ; if so, 

 add two more in the same manner, or as soon as they are 

 finished ; they will then have their full complement of combs. 

 When these are finished, feeding can be stopped — if the honey 

 flow is on — and the section racks put on. If there is little honey 

 coming in, keep feeding slowly — that is, allow about two holes 

 of the feeder to be uncovered. 



88. Prevention of Absconding Swarms. — When a first 

 swarm issues from a hive, it usually settles somewhere very near 

 the apiary ; but in the case of second swarms, or casts, they 

 will frequently fly some distance before settling. The reason is 

 obvious : a first swarm is accompanied by the old, and a cast 

 by the young, queen ; the latter, being frequently unfertilised, 

 is more agile than the former, taking longer flights. When a 

 swarm does not seem inclined to settle water should be thrown 

 over it, in the form of a spray from a syringe or garden 

 engine. This, if skilfully applied, will have the desired effect. 

 Sand thrown among them will sometimes cause them to settle ; 

 but the old style of beating a "tom-tom" on pots, frying pans, 

 and kettles is Lut a little amusement to the beater — it has no 

 effect whatever on the bees. Often, on placing a swarm in a 

 hive, it will issue again ; the reasons of these erratic movements 

 are often a mystery. If this occurs, re-hive the bees, and place 

 a frame of brood, some of which should not have been capped 

 over, in the middle. This offers a great inducement for them 

 to stay as they have a considerable amount of affection for the 

 nurselings of the hive. Where such a frame is not obtainable, 

 enlarge the hive and shut the bees in, with perforated zinc over 

 the entrance ; then remove them to a cool, perfectly dark place 

 — such as a cellar — for twenty-four hours. They will then, 

 upon being returned to their stand and allowed to fly, settle 



