142 SWARMING AND HIVING. 



to means much more effective to stay their vagrant propen- 

 sities. Handfulis of dirt cast into the air, or water thrown 

 among ihem, will often so disorganize them as to compel 

 them to alight. Of all devices for stopping them, the most 

 original one that I have ever heard of, is to flash the sun's 

 rays among them, by the use of a looking glass ! I have 

 never had occasion to try it, but the anonymous writer who 

 recommends it, says that he never knew it to fail. If they 

 are forcibly prevented from eloping, then special care must 

 be taken or they will be almost sure, soon after hiving, to 

 leave for their selected home. The Queen should be caught 

 and confined for several days in a way which will be sub- 

 sequently described. The same caution must be exercised, 

 when new swarms abandon their hive. If the Queen can- 

 not be caught, and there is reason to dread desertion, the 

 bees may be carried into the cellar, and confined in total 

 darkness, until towards sun-set of the third day after they 

 swarmed, being supplied in the mean time with water and 

 honey to build their combs. 



By the Use of my hives it is always very easy to prevent 

 a colony from abandoning its new home ; as the entrance 

 may be so regulated by the beveled edge of the blocks which 

 control it, that while a loaded worker can just pass, the 

 Queen will be unable to leave. If a piece of comb contain- 

 ing unsealed worker brood is put into the new hive, a swarm 

 will scarcely ever forsake it. 



It may generally be ascertained soon after hiving a swarm, 

 whether it intends to remain or not. If, on applying the 

 ear against the side of the hive, a sound as of gnawing or 

 rubbing, be heard, the bees are preparing to commence 

 comb building, and will usually remain. 



If a colony decides to go, they look upon the hive in 

 which they are put, as only a temporary stopping place, and 



