ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 181 



hive or box in readiness, the diameter of which is as nearly 

 as possible, the same with that of the hive from which you 

 intend to drive the swarm. Lift the hive very gently, and 

 without the slightest jar, from its bottom-board ; invert it, and 

 carry it in the same careful manner, about a rod from its old 

 stand, as bees are always much more inclined to be peace- 

 able, when removed a short distance, than when any opera- 

 tion is performed on the familiar spot. If the hive is care- 

 fully placed on the ground, upside down, scarcely a single 

 bee will fly out, and there will be little danger of being 

 stung. Timid and inexperienced Apiarians will, of course, 

 protect themselves with a bee-dress, and they may have an 

 assistant to sprinkle the hive gently with sugar-water, or blow 

 a little more smoke into it, as soon as it is inverted. After 

 placing the hive in an inverted position on the ground, the 

 empty hive, or box must be put over it, and every crack from 

 which a bee might escape, must be carefully closed with pa- 

 per or any convenient material. The upper hive if smooth 

 inside should be furnished with two or three slats, about an 

 inch and a half wide, and fastened one third of the distance 

 from the top, so as to help the bees to cluster. 



As soon as the Apiarian is perfectly sure that the bees 

 cannot escape, he should place an empty hive upon the stand 

 from which they were removed, so that the multitudes which 

 return from the fields may enter it, instead of dispersing to 

 other hives, where some of them might meet with a very un- 

 kind reception ; although, as a general rule, a bee with a 

 load of freshly gathered honey, after the extent of his re- 

 sources is ascertained, is almost always welcomed by any 

 hive to which he may carry his treasures ; while a poor un- 

 fortunate that ventures to present himself empty and poverty 

 ■ stricken, is generally at once destroyed ! The one meets 

 \with as friendly a reception as a wealthy gentleman who 

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