304 miner's AMERICAN 



in the same apiary. Such swarms may, within the first 

 two weeks of their existence, and before the queens ma- 

 ture, be transposed with good results ; that is, take a 

 very large swarrii, and place it in the position of a small 

 one, and vice versd. An equalization of families can be 

 effected in this way, as the bees mix with perfect peace 

 at such times. No other swarms, or stocks can be 

 treated in this manner, without ruinous results to both 

 families. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



CHANGING FAMILIES FROM OLD TO 

 NEW HIVES. 



It is a well-known fact, that bees thrive best, during 

 the first four or five years of their existence in the same 

 tenement. It has been often asserted, that the lack of 

 animation, and of the decay of families, is in conse- 

 quence of every generation of bees, bred in the same 

 tenement being smaller than their predecessors ; on ac- 

 count of the yearly contraction or diminishing of the 

 cells. It is said, that the silken shrouds, that enclose the 

 larvae are left behind, pressed to the sides of the cells, 

 when the young bees come forth, thus causing them to 

 become gradually smaller and smaller, until there is not 



