CHAPTER X. 
INCREASE OF COLONIES. 
NATURAL SWARMING. 
An abundant secretion of honey and general prosperity of the col- 
ony — with combs crowded with bees and brood — are the immediate 
conditions which incite a colony of bees to swarm. If a colony in 
prosperous condition be found when the gathering season has fairly 
opened, with eggs or larvae in partly finished queen cells, a swarm may 
be expected in a few days should the weather continue favorable. The 
first one from a given hive usually issues within twenty-four to forty- 
eight hours after the sealing of the first queen cell. In the case of 
strong colonies this may occur in favored situations in the North early 
in May, in the Middle States in April, and in the extreme South in 
March. But most of the swarms will come, in each section, a month 
later. When the flow of honey is prolonged the period during which 
swarms may issue is also extended, and in case a second flow occurs in 
midsummer, after an interruption, a second swarming period may occur. 
The outward indications immediately preceding swarming are a 
partial cessation of field work on the part of colonies that have been 
industriously gatheriug and the clustering or loitering of the workers 
about the entrances at times when they have usually been engaged in 
collecting and when other colonies no more populous are at work. 
Apparently many are awaiting the signal to migrate, while some seem 
not to have caught the spirit, but continue their field work. Suddenly 
great excitement seizes the workers that happen to be in the hive at 
the time. They rush forth pellmell, accompanied by the old queen, and 
after circling about for some minutes cluster on some neighboring tree 
or shrub. 
It very rarely happens that a swarm fails to cluster before leaving, 
but it may do so if it has swarmed before and returned to the hive 
because the queen failed to accompany it. Spraying water on the 
leaders or advance portion of the swarm from a force pump, firing a 
gun among them, or throwing the reflection from a mirror on them will 
disconcert the absconding swarm and nearly always cause the bees to 
settle, but the remedy must be at hand and applied instantly. 
When a swarm has fairly settled it is best to hive it as soon as possible. 
lest others coming out may join it, occasioning a loss of queens, and 
sometimes of bees, or much trouble in separating them. The operation 
of hiving may appear very formidable to the novice and attended with 
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