10 BULLETIX 6S5, T. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGEICITLTrEE. 
Table II. — Hon-eyhees: Per cent of total sirarming, by months — Contd. 
State. 
Proportion of total annual increase of colonies in— 
March. : April. ilay. June. July. August 
Tennessee. . 
Alabama... 
Mississippi . 
Louisiana . . 
Texas 
Oklahoma. 
Arkansas.. 
Montana . . 
Wyoming. 
Colorado.., 
Xew Mexico . 
Arizona 
Utah 
Nevada 
Idaho 
"VTashington. 
Oregon 
California. . . 
Per cent. ! Fcr ant 
i.7 
l.S 
5.S 
11.1 
18.0 
37.0 
42.5 
3S.1 
4.1 
23.5 
3.7 
30.0 
13.5 
2.5 
5.2 
41.7 
Per cent. 
51.7 
32.5 
30. 4 
2.S.S 
2S.3 
47.7 
40.4 
9.6 
2. 5 
11. S 
34.0 
31.0 
16.1 
50.0 
27.0 
2?, 5 
31.2 
Per cent. 
30.7 
19.0 
15.0 
13.2 
14.4 
35. 2 
■25.0 
3S.4 
22.0 
34.9 
31.1 
12.0 
49.4 
33.0 
50.0 
42.1 
52.1 
12.1 
Per cent. 
6.1 
l.S 
6. 5 
7.1 
4.6 
10. 2 
3.S 
42.3 
53.0 
37. S 
15.4 
4.0 
27. S 
5.0 
35.7 
21.5 
10.6 
6.4 
Per cent. 
1.9 
United States. 
3.5 
16.4 
25.1 
3.. 2 I 
14. 
4.0 
INXREASE BY SWARMING. 
The net clianges in number of colonies from year to rear 
is the balance between the increase by swaiTning. natural and 
artificial, and the losses. The annual primary increase by 
swanning must, to offset the losses, average between 15 and 
20 per cent of the number of colonies, not cotmting the 
swarms that escape and establish themselres in hollow trees, 
rock cavities, etc. The number so escaping must be quite 
large, but can not be determined. Most of the increase is 
by nattual swaiTning,but as this often reduces the production 
of surplus honey, there is an increasing tendency among bee- 
keepers, amounting to a practice among a large part of those 
who make this a regular business, to prevent natural swarm- 
ing dming the main nectar flow, in order that the bees may 
devote all of their energies to the gathering of honey. Pro- 
vision for increase in ntmiber of colonies, if desired, is made 
