bbe-keepee's manual. 279 



being a symptom showing when a family will sally out ; 

 but this indication is not to be depended on, from the 

 fact, that not one bee-keeper in ten, will ever be able to 

 distinguish this sound, amid the hum of a populous 

 family in warm weather. 



Piping, as it is called, is simply the notes of the young 

 queens, that are held prisoners by the workers, as before 

 described, manifesting their desire to obtain their free- 

 dom, and the noise emitted sounds somewhat like peep, 

 •peep ; and when such a sound is heard on a calm even- 

 ing by applying the ear close to the hive, and in actual 

 contact therewith, it signifies that a swarm will issue 

 soon, if the weather be favorable. 



The only general criterion by which we can judge 

 whether a swarm will soon issue, is from the following 

 circumstances, viz : — 



If the hive be full of combs, and the bees find diflft- 

 culty in getting into it at evening, a swarm may be soon 

 expected, any time after the 15th of May. If large 

 clusters of bees hang out at evening, then the symptom 

 of swarming is still stronger. If no swarms have come 

 out on the 1st of June, and the aforesaid symptoms ex- 

 ist, it is almost morally certain that one will depart very 

 soon, unless the weather be cold, damp or windy. When 

 a swarm has issued, clustering out indicates that another 

 family will take their exit, but not much dependence is 

 to be placed upon the apparent populous state of the 

 stock, for any issue except the first. If the weather be 

 very warm, the apiarian will be liable to be greatly de- 

 ceived in regard to the actual population of his parent 



