SWARMS. 87 



felf not excepted) who through neglect in 

 this point have not loft, more or lefs, fwarms 

 every year, and chiefly prime ones; for bees 

 often fwarm without a minute's notice, per- 

 haps the very inftant after being left. There 

 is no fure way of fecuring fwarms but by a 

 constant watching of a bee-herd, re- 

 tained on purpofe, from feven or eight in the 

 morning until three or four in the afternoon, 

 till all the prime fwarms have iifued. Bad 

 weather may be excepted. 



Children, or rather aged people, might be 

 employed to do it at an eafy rate; and if it 

 fhould coft feven or eight {hillings, it is bet- 

 ter to be at that charge, than run the great 

 rifque of lofing feveral of the beji fwarms* 

 You alfo efcape the anxiety and trouble of 

 going conftantly to and fro, which is after 

 all attended with uncertainty. Befides, 

 if a perfon keeps but fix ftocks, and faves 

 only one fwarm, he will be no lofer; to 

 which add, the afhflance given to an indi- 

 gent family by the money expended. The 

 ufual hours of fwarming are from ten to 

 two ; but this is not to be depended on. 1 

 G 4 have 



