288 
DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
has been proved from observation, that the average percentage of 
swarms have been twenty-four in May, sixty in June, fourteen in July, 
and two in August ; from which it will appear that June is the principal 
month for swarming, in ordinary seasons; and it is in June and July 
that the greatest quantities of honey are stored up by the bees, when 
managed in a judicious manner. 
“When the swarming is assisted and encouraged during June and 
July, the old stocks are considerably weakened, and the swarms are em- 
ployed in building combs in their new hives, collecting pollen, and at- 
tending to the young brood, until the best part of the honey-storing 
season is over; so that, at the honey harvest in autumn, it will fre- 
quently require the contents of five or six old stocks, or late swarms, to 
produce as much pure honey as might have been obtained from one 
colony on the system of management which is recommended.” 
In collateral boxes, and in capped hives, swarming may be prevented 
by affording the bees additional accommodation, and reducing the tem- 
perature ; and, for this end, it is recommended, by most apiarians, that 
the hive or box should be furnished with a thermometer as well as 
ventilator. We think, however, that even those who do not possess 
these accommodations may manage well enough by proper observation 
and attention to the symptoms we have detailed. When these appear 
in a collateral box-hive, open one of the partitions, and admit the bees 
into a new apartment; if all be full, take off a box, empty and restore 
it. In the case of a capped hive, remove the bung, and admit the bees 
to the cap ; if full, remove, empty, and restore it. On this subject Mr. 
Briggs says : 
“The most favorable degrees of heat for the prosperity of the brood 
are from 75° to 90° in the stock hive, and from 65° to 75° in the side 
boxes. The heat in a prosperous hive is sometimes upward of 70° at 
Christmas, and will, in hot summer weather, sometimes rise to near 
120°, at which time the combs are in great danger of being damaged, 
and of falling to the floor of the hive ; this may, however, be prevented, 
by giving extra room when required, and by shading the hives from 
extreme heat, as previously directed. It should always be borne in mind 
that all operations with bees should be performed as carefully and as 
speedily as circumstances will permit. The late Mr. T. Nutt remarked, 
in a conversation with him a few months previous to his decease, 1 that 
in removing boxes, glasses, slides, etc., the apiarian should proceed in a 
manner so steady and cautious, that the bees should scarcely know that 
their habitation had been meddled with ;’ in which remarks I fully con- 
cur.” 
After having a new swarm, you must also recollect, that if unfavorable 
weather follow their departure, you must feed them, otherwise they will 
be starved ; indeed, it would be well if each new swarm were always 
fed for a few days, as this will assist them in gaining strength in num- 
bers and in store, before the principal part of the honey season goes 
over. In conclusion we would merely say, that the weight of a good 
swarm should be from five to seven pounds, and that all under five 
pounds in weight should be united to others, as being too weak in num- 
bers to support themselves. 
