136 SWARMING AND HIVING. 



will allow, if at all desirable, of ventilation from above ; 

 and I always make use of it, when the bees are to be shut 

 up for any length of time, in order to be moved ; as in this 

 case, there is risk that ventilation from below may be clogged 

 by dead bees, and the colony suffocated. As the entrance 

 of the hive, may in a moment, be enlarged to any desirable 

 extent, without in the least perplexing the bees, any quantity 

 of air may be admitted, which the necessities of the bees, 

 under any possible circumstances, may require. It may be 

 made full eighteen inches in length, but as a general rule, in 

 Summer, in a large colony, it need not exceed six inches; 

 while during the rest of the year, two or three inches will 

 suffice. 



CHAPTER X. 



Natural Swarming, and Hiving of Swarms. 



The swarming of bees has been justly regarded as one 

 of the most beautiful sights in the whole compass of rural 

 economy. Although, for reasons which will hereafter be 

 assigned, I prefer to rely chiefly on artificial means for the 

 multiplication of colonies, I should be very unwilling to pass 

 a season without participating, to some extent, in the pleas- 

 ing excitement of natural swarming. 



" Up mounts the chief, and to the cheated eye 

 Ten thousand shuttles dart along the sky ; 

 As swift through aether rise the rushing swarms, 

 Gay dancing to the beam their sun-bright forms ; 

 And each thin form, still ling'ring on the sight, 

 Trails, as it shoots, a line of silver light. 

 High pois'd on buoyant wing, the thoughtful queen. 

 In gaze attentive, views the varied scene, 



