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NATURAL SWARIvIING 



TO PREVENT NEW SWARMS FROM LEAVING THEIR HIVES. 



Natural swarms will occasionally refuse to stay after having 

 been hived, usually in consequence of heat or strong odors about 

 the hive. In nucleus swarming this seldom or never happens, 

 because the bees are never without a comb containing brood and 

 honey; and this they will not leave voluntarily. Therefore, 

 when hiving a swarm in a movable-comb hive, go to any stock 

 that can spare a comb containing brood and honey. Brush back 

 the bees, being careful not to remove the queen or any queen- 

 cells with the comb, and place it in the hive that is to receive 

 the new swarm. It will not only prevent the bees from decamp- 

 ing but will greatly encourage them, and should bad weather 

 confine them to the hive they will be secure from starvation. If 

 the swarm is put in a common hive, place over them a box of 

 honey, taken from the parent stock. 



HATCHING AND FERTILIZATION OF QUEENS 



In about eight days after the old queen leaves 

 with the first swarm, the most advanced sealed queen 

 is ready to emerge. During this time the old stock 

 is without a hatched queen. The young queen im- 

 mediately upon leaving her cell, if not restrained bv 

 the workers, commences the work of destruction upon 

 her yet imprisoned sisters. She accomplishes this 

 by biting open the side of each cell near its base, and 

 dispatching the unfortunate inmate with her sting. 

 She is yet incompetent for the maternal duty, and 

 must leave the hive to meet the drones in the air for 



