BEE MANUAL. 195 



probabilities of their swarming, without constantly examining 

 the interior. It is well known that first swarms issue, as a 

 rule, only on fine sunny days, and not earlier than nine or ten 

 o'clock in the morning, nor later than two or three o'clock 

 in the afternoon, unless, indeed, they have been kept back 

 by unfavourable weather for several days. The necessity 

 for watching is therefore, as a rule, coufined to that portion of 

 the fine days in the swarming season. If there is reason to 

 expect any of the stocks to swarm, and if the bee-keeper himself 

 is not engaged, during the time referred to, at or tolerably near 

 to the apiary, it certainly will be well to have somebody (an 

 intelligent child will do as well as any) to keep an eye on the 

 hives during those hours of the forenoon and afternoon. An 

 occasional visit to the apiary every hour or so, to see if a swarm 

 has settled on any of the bushes generally used for the purpose, 

 may be sufficient as far as securing the swarm is concerned ; 

 but it is much more satisfactory to see, from what hive it pro- 

 ceeds, and to watch, and if necessary force its settling in the 

 way hereafter mentioned, in case of its showing any tendency 

 to abscond. Any danger from the second cause may be reduced 

 to a minimum, if care be taken to grow a few shrubs in conve- 

 nient positions just in front of the apiary; the bees will almost 

 invariably settle and cluster, for awhile at least, upon a tree or 

 shrub in the neighbourhood of the apiary, if they find a few to 

 choose from which are inviting and suitable for the purpose. 

 "With regard to the third objection — the voluntary uniting of 

 swarms — it may sometimes cause a little trouble in a large 

 apiary; but it is not always objectionable — on the contrary, it 

 is sometimes very convenient in the case of small after-swarms. 

 These latter, however, are, as a rule, to be avoided altogether 

 under proper management. And with regard to the larger 

 swarms which it is wished to keep separate, this can generally 

 be managed by the prompt intervention of the bee-keeper, if 

 on the spot, and by having several swarm-boxes always at 

 hand; or if two large swarms should unite, they may be 

 divided and hived in two lots, as shown further on, but with 

 the almost certain loss of one queen at least. 



PREPARING FOR SWARMS. 



At the approach of the swarming period, everything requisite 

 to facilitate the hiving of swarms should be in readiness, so 



