HIVING. | 29 
able with all theirindustry to furnish it to him. Swarming is a natural 
process. It cannot, to any great extent, be interfered with, and the 
results prove permanently beneficial to the Bee-keeper. The theory 
of swarming is this. The Queen lays eggs enough ordinarily, in a com- 
mon sized hive, during the hatching season, to make up for the losses 
which the swarm sustains in various ways, and to increase the number of 
Bees to such an extent, that a colony can be spared or sent off, which shall 
constitute a new organization. If the hive is double the ordinary size, 
and the swarm which occupies it is double also, its losses at the same 
time are double. ff the hive is treble the ordinary size, and the swarm 
is trebled also, its losses are treble. The Queen lays just about eggs 
enough during the season, to make up for the losses which are sustained 
by a swarm which is treble the ordinary size. There is no increase in 
numbers beyond the wants of the household. No colony is sent off, 
because none can be spared. They remain stationary for a time, or 
from year to year, although strong and vigorous. At length the Queen 
becomes less fertile as she advances in age. Fewer Bees are raised. 
Their losses are not made good by the increase. They gradually di- 
minish in numbers, dwindle and die. Bees are to be placed in a hive 
of suitable dimensions, which contains about one cubic foot, with an 
arrangement for the deposit of surplus honey, where full scope is given 
to their swarming propensities, if the keeper is to receive from them the 
greatest profits which they are capable of furnishing. The Old Queen 
leaves the hive with the first swarm, ordinarily before the young one is 
hatched, yet about the time she is hatched. 
oe 
CHAP PER Xt: 
HIVING. 
Tue Bee-keeper, as a preparation for hiving his Bees, should walk 
around among them while they are in the act of swarming. As a conse- 
quence his presence will be more acceptable to them when he comes to 
handle them for the purpose of putting them into the hive. During the 
whole time he should move with the utmost gentleness and deliberation. — 
