SWARMING. 
201 
to them, and as many jarred on it as possible. Hold 
this still, and shake the other to prevent their 
clustering there; you will soon have them all col- 
lected, ready to bring down, and put by the hive. A 
handle basket or large tin pan may be taken up the 
ladder instead of the hive, when they can be readily 
emptied before it. But very few will fly out in coming 
down. If you succeed in getting nearly all the bees 
in the first effort, and but few are left, merely shaking 
the branch will be sufficient to prevent their holding 
fast, and will turn their attention to those below, 
where those which have already found a hive will be 
doing their best to call them. When the hive is first 
turned over, most of the bees fall on the board and 
rush out, but as soon as it is realized that a home is 
found, a buzzing commences inside ; this quickly com- 
municates the fact to those outside, which immediate- 
ly turn about, facing the hive and hum in concert, 
while marching in. 
Another plan may be adopted, even if fifteen feet 
high; when the branch is not^ too large, and there is 
not too much in the way below it. Have ready two 
or three light poles of suitable length ; select such as 
have a branch at the upper end, large enough to hold 
a two-bushel basket. This is raised directly under the 
swarm ; with another pole, the bees are all dislodged, 
and fall into the basket, and are quickly let down. 
Now, if you have got about all, throw a sheet over 
for a few moments, to prevent their escape. They 
soon become quiet, and may be hived without 
9 * 
