SWARMING. 45 



enter. By these motions of the bees will a knowledge of the 

 position of the queen be obtained. As soon as the bees have 

 settled down quietly, which will be in about from ten to twenty 

 minutes, the hive and its contents should be removed to the posi- 

 tion it is permanently to occupy. Bees do not always cluster in such 

 convenient places as the outstretched branch of a tree, and often 

 the ingenuity of the bee-keeper is severely tested, in order to 

 devise some means of obtaining possession of them. The middle 

 of a quickset hedge is a favourite position ; they can be dislodged 

 from here by placing on top of the hedge, and directly over the 

 cluster, a clean skep ; then dip some large feathers (goose wing) 

 or sticks in a weak solution of carbolic acid, and drive them 

 up into the skep by placing the feathers or sticks close to the 

 bottom of the swarm, moving them continually to it as the bees 

 ascend, until they are lodged safely within. If the queen can 

 be seen to enter the skep, no further trouble need be taken ; the 

 hive can be placed on the ground near, when, in a short time, 

 all the remaining portion of the cluster will join those in the 

 skep. Their movements can be accelerated by shaking the 

 bushes about, dislodging as many of the bees as possible, and 

 so causing them to take wing. Swarms can always be gradually 

 shifted from their positions by manipulating with feathers or 

 sticks dipped in carbolic acid solution, or with a fumigator ; the 

 first-named are the handiest for the above purpose. There is 

 no occasion to anoint the inside of the skep with any mixture 

 of sugar, beer, &c., as is frequently done, with the idea of enticing 

 them to stay ; it is simply old-fashioned folly to do so, it makes 

 not the slightest difference, but only gives the bees the trouble 

 of removing it again. 



84. Preparing Bar Frame Hive for Reception of 

 Swarm. — Having hived the swarm in Some clean receptacle — 

 it is not imperative to use a skep — and taken them to the 

 position they are permanently to occupy, leave them there until 

 about an hour before sunset, and start preparing the bar-frame 

 hive for their reception. We will take it that the hive is one 

 made upon much the same principle as those illustrated at the 

 commencement of this work, the floor-board being quite separate, 

 and removable from the body box, for convenience in putting 

 swarms in, and also for cleanliness. Six frames must be arranged 

 as described below, and then placed in their proper positions in 

 the hive; their shoulders must come close together. Now bring 

 the dummy board right up close to the frames, and place the 

 quilts on. You will do well to have a good piece of American 

 cloth (with little or no smell) next the frames, with the enamel 

 side downwards, and then two or three thicknesses of very warm 

 material— such as felt— on top. A regulating bottle feeder must 

 also be put in position on the hive. The hive is then ready for 

 the reception of the swarm. 



