216 NATURAL SWARMmG. 



eating atmosphere of a close garret. If the process of hiv- 

 ing cannot be conducted in the shade, the hive should be 

 covered with a sheet or with leafy boughs. 



422. In the movable-comb hive, every good piece of 

 worker-comb, if large enough to be attached to a frame, 

 should be used, both for its intrinsic value, and because 

 bees are so pleased when they find such unexpected treas- 

 ure in a hive, that they will seldom forsake it. A new 

 swarm often takes possession of a deserted hive, well stored 

 with comb ; whilst, if dozens of empty ones stand in the 

 Apiary, the bees very seldom enter them of their own accord. 

 It once seemed to us that an instinct impelling them to do 

 so, would have been much better for us than the present 

 arrangement ; but further reflection has shown us that, on 

 the contrary, it would have been a fruitful source of dis- 

 putes among neighboring bee-keepers ; and that in this, as 

 in so many other things, the instincts of the honey-bee have 

 been devised with special reference to the welfare of man. 



" The bee-keepers of Greece used to attract the swarms Into 

 their hives by rubbing the entrance and the inside of their empty 

 hives with bees-wax and propolis. But such practice was often 

 the cause of contests between neighbors, for their bees did not 

 Inquire about the ownership of the hive selected."— (Delia Eoc- 

 ca, 1790.) 



But when a few combs only are given to a swarm, as the 

 queen will not follow the builders (229), too much drone 

 comb (224) will be built. Then, in hiving a swarm, the 

 Apiarist had better dispense with giving any, unless he fills 

 the hive (334). 



Drone-comhs (224) should never be put up in frames, or 

 the bees may follow the pattern, and build comb suitable 

 only for breeding a horde of useless consumers. 



423. Frames containing worker combs, from colonies 

 that have died in the previous Winter are very good, if the 

 comb is dry and clean. Combs of honey will do if the 



