BEE MANUAL. 195 
probabilities of their swarming, without constantly examining 
the interior. It is well known that first swarms issue, as a 
rule, only on fine sunny days, and not earlier than nine or ten 
o’clock in the morning, nor later than two or three o'clock 
in the afternoon, unless, indeed, they have been kept back 
by unfavourable weather for several days. The necessity 
for watching is therefore, as a rule, confined to that portion of 
the fine days in the swarming season. If there is reason to 
expect any of the stocks to swarm, and if the bee-keeper himself 
is not engaged, during the time referred to, at or tolerably near 
to the apiary, it certainly will be well to have somebody (an 
intelligent child will do as well as any) to keep an eye on the 
hives during those hours of the forenoon and afternoon. An 
occasional visit to the apiary every hour or so, to see if a swarm 
has settled on any of the bushes generally used for the purpose, 
may be sufficient as far as securing the swarm is concerned ; 
but it is much more satisfactory to see from what hive it pro- 
ceeds, and to watch, and if necessary force its settling in the 
way hereafter mentioned, in case of its showing any tendency 
to abscond. Any danger from the second cause may be reduced 
to a minimum, if care be taken to grow a few shrubs in conve- 
nient positions just in front of the apiary; the bees will almost 
invariably settle and cluster, for awhile at least, upon a tree or 
shrub in the neighbourhood of the apiary, if they find a few to 
choose from which are inviting and suitable for the purpose. 
With regard to the third objection—the voluntary uniting of 
swarms—it may sometimes cause a little trouble in a large 
aplary; but it is not always objectionable—on the contrary, it 
is sometimes very convenient in the case of small after-swarms. 
These latter, however, are, as a rule, to be avoided altogether 
under proper management. And with regard to the larger 
swarms which it is wished to keep separate, this can generally 
be managed by the prompt intervention of the bee-keeper, if 
on the spot, and by having several swarm-boxes always at 
hand; or if two large swarms should unite, they may be 
divided and hived in two lots, as shown further on, but with 
the almost certain loss of one queen at least. 
PREPARING FOR SWARMS. 
At the approach of the swarming period, everything requisite 
to facilitate the hiving of swarms should be in readiness, so 
