218 NATUEA.L SWAKMING. 



the swarm would build and raise brood in the upper story, 

 intended only for surplus honey. 



427. When the hive is thus prepared and placed in a 

 convenient position, the entrance should be opened as wide 

 as possible. If it has a movable-bottom-board, it should be 

 raised from it in front (344), and the entrance-blocks in- 

 serted under its edges, so as to leave a larger passage for 

 the swarm, that the bees may get in as soon as possible ; and 

 a well-stretched sheet, or coarse cloth, should be securely 

 fastened to the aUghting-board, to keep them from becom- 

 ing separated, or soiled by dirt ; for, if separated, they are 

 a long time in entering ; and a bee covered with dust or 

 dirt is very apt to perish. Bees are much obstructed in 

 their travel, by any corner, or great inequality of surface ; 

 and if the sheet is not smoothly stretched, they are often so 

 confused, that it takes them a long time to find the entrance 

 to the hive. 



428. If the bees have alighted on a small limb, which 

 can be cut with sharp pruning-shears, without jarring the 

 swarm, or damaging the value of the tree, they may be gently 

 carried on it to the hiving-sheet, in front of their new home. 

 If they seem at all reluctant to enter it, gently scoop up a 

 few of them with a large spoon, or a leafy twig, or 

 even with the fingers (73), and shake them close to its en- 

 trance. As they go in with fanning wings, they will raise 

 a peculiar note, which communicates to their companions 

 the joyful news that they have found a home ; and in a 

 short time, the whole swarm will enter, without injury to a 

 single bee. 



When bees are once shaken down on the sheet, they are 

 quite unwilhng to take wing again ; for, being loaded with 

 honey, they desire, like heavily-armed troops, to march 

 slowly and sedately to their place of encampment. 



429. When they ahght on a high limb, which cannot be 

 reached, or when the limb is too valuable to be sacrificed, 



