272 miner's AMERICAN 



would briefly say, always be on the safe side in regard 

 to the strength of your swarms, and never grieve when 

 but one issues in a season. I assure you, that one large 

 swarm is enough. Never think of dividing them, unless 

 you are positive that they contain two or more issues. 

 There is not much danger of your dividing swarms or 

 families, unless you have had experience in such mat- 

 ters. I will illustrate this point soon. 



DIFFERENT SWARMS APT TO CLUSTER TOGETHER. 



When different swarms issue at the same time, they 

 will almost invariably cluster on the same branch. This 

 arises from an instinctive predominant principle in bees 

 to congregate in as large families as possible. It is not 

 necessary that each family should issue at the same in- 

 stant ; since a swarm already clustered, will be followed 

 by a swarm sallying forth half an hour later ; and another 

 coming forth before the previous two are hived, will be 

 sure to mix with them. In extensive apiaries, there is 

 much difficulty attending the union of swarms in this 

 way. In such cases, it is best to have everything at 

 hand ready, and hive each swarm as quickly as possible. 

 When the weather becomes fine after a rain, and it is 

 probable that several swarms will issue at once, it is ad- 

 visable, when a swarm commences issuing, to sprinkle 

 the rest of the hives with water, from a watering-pot. 

 This will keep them back a few minutes, until you can 

 hive the one already clustered. I now speak of very 

 large apiaries, where from 25 to 100 hives exist. Every 

 precaution should be taken, to keep the hives that have 



