74 SWARMS. 



nefs of the queen, the populoufnefs of the 

 frock, the goodnefs of the fituation, and of 

 the weather. The more numerous the bees 

 are in the hive, the greater will be the heat 

 to enable the queen to begin breeding earlier 

 than thofe of other flocks. When bees are 

 carefully fupplied with food in fpring, they 

 breed faft even in bad weather. 



When January proves mild, the breeding 

 will fometimes commence at the latter end 

 of that month : but often in February, and 

 in March generally. As foon as bees carry 

 in farina, or yellow balls, on their legs, it is 

 a fure fign of the queen's having begun to 

 breed. A long feafon of cold and wet wea- 

 ther retards the hatching or increafing of 

 the breed, caufmg many abortions, and not 

 uncommonly that of the royal nymphs. 

 They may be feen caft out in fuch unkindly 

 feafons. 



The influence of a genial fpring haftens 

 the breeding, and no lefs accelerates the blof- 

 foms proper for their nourimment ; the 

 fallows, willows, fnow-drops, crocufes, &c. 

 yielding plenty of farina. 



£ut mould the weather be unfavourable 



while 



