bee-keeper's manual. 293 



became dry and faded, it made no difference in regard 

 to the bees clustering on them. 



APPBAKANCES AT THE MOMENT OF ISSUING. 



Perhaps some of my readers would like to know how 

 a family of bees is affected at the first movements in 

 swai'ming, since very few bee-keepers witness the first 

 outward excitement among them. I stood looking at a 

 hive last June, and presently a mass of bees came surg- 

 ing over and over, out of the hive on every side, like 

 the froth of a pot slowly boiling over. The bees ran up 

 the sides a few inches, making a complete mass all 

 around it, and then for a moment, the most phrenzied 

 excitement took place, running in every direction, with 

 a speed unnatural to them. Then they commenced 

 rising on the wing, and in one minute, the air was dark- 

 ened by the mass that issued. 



TIME OF DAY TO EXPECT SWARMS TO SALLY FORTH. 



From 7 o'clock in the morning to 6 o'clock in the 

 afternoon, they may issue, but generally from 10 to 3. 

 In very warm weather swarms frequently issue as early 

 as 7. This is about all the specific guide any one can 

 have. 



