CHAPTER VII 
NATURAL SWARMS 
ToOwarDs the end of the month of May swarms 
may be expected from strong colonies. As a rule 
there will not be many swarms during this month, 
by far the greater number coming off in June or 
during the first week of July. Still it is best to 
be prepared in time, and by this date spare hives 
should be in readiness for use if necessary. 
There are various reasons which explain the 
swarming of bees, first and foremost being that it 
is their natural mode of increase. In a great 
measure this accounts for the fact that the numer- 
ous devices-intended to eliminate swarming have 
never proved entirely successful. There are, how- 
ever, other cohditions which conduce to the -bees ~ 
seeking another home, conditions which may be 
swept away by the apiarist if he has no use for 
increase, 
Chief of these’is want of room in the hive for 
the teeming population, the exposure of the hive 
to intense heat, and the failure to give adequate 
ventilation. A colony is also more liable to throw 
off a swarm if it be headed by an aged queen. 
These incitements to swarming may, be obviated 
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