4 . 
i 
G 
PREVENTION OF SWARMING. 105 
The manner of using the device is simple. Before the colonies swarm 
the device is attached to the fronts of two adjacent hives. The slide 
(fig. 70, sl) having been inserted at one end of the device, the bees 
returning from the fields are all run into the other hive, on which the 
supers are then placed. Before the colony, thus made doubly populous, 
decides to swarm, the slide and supers are both changed to the other 
hive. This is repeated every four or five days during the swarming 
period. 
SELECTION IN BREEDING. 
Some races of bees show greater inclination than others toward 
Swarming, and the same difference can be noted between individual 
colonies of a given race; therefore, whatever methods be adopted to 
prevent or limit increase, no doubt the constant selection of those 
queens to breed from whose workers show the least tendency toward 
Swarming would in time greatly reduce this disposition. Indeed, it is 
perfectly consistent to believe that persistent effort, coupled with rigid 
and intelligent selection, will eventually result in a strain of bees quite 
as much entitled to be termed non-swarming as certain breeds of fowls | 
which have been produced by artificial selection are to be called non- ; 
sitters. These terms are of course only relative, being merely indica- | 
tive of the possession of a certain disposition in aless degree than that i 
shown by others of the same species. It might never be possible to i 
change the nature of our honey bees so completely that they would : 
never swarm under any circumstances, and even if possible it would 
take a long period, so strongly implanted seems this instinct. But to H 
modify it is within the reach of any intelligent breeder who will persist- 
ently make the effort. Such work should be undertaken in experi- 
mental apiaries where its continuance when a single point has been 
gained will not be affected by the changes of individual fortunes. 
Many features connected with swarming still remain mysteries. The 
whole subject requires still more study, and its full elucidation would i 
no doubt be of great practical value to apiculture. The field is inviting. 
