CHAPTER V. 



ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 



That bees may be swarmed artificially, although not known 

 to all even at the present day, is not a late discovery, but has 

 been practiced for over a century, with more or less success, 

 depending entirely upon the observance of the three following 

 conditions, to wit: the proper time for swarming; the condition 

 of the stock; and whether the method employed was in harmony 

 with or in violation of the laws which govern the economy of 

 the hive. 



1st. The time for swarming is not until the yield of honey is 

 abundant and drones are numerous in the apiary, nor should it 

 be performed so late in the season that the bees will not have 

 time to become strong in numbers and rich in stores before the 

 frosts of autumn cut short the pasturage. The safest rule, foi 

 the inexperienced, is to wait until natural swarms begin to issue, 

 unless he can have a finished queen-cell to give the qucenless 

 part, or, what is much better, a fertile queen, in which case lie 

 may swarm somewhat earlier or later than the usual time for 

 natural swarms. 



2d. The stock to be swarmed should be very populous, for if 

 swarmed when too weak, it is thus robbed of its power to 

 generate heat for breeding, and should unfavorable weather 



