SWARMING. 
207 
supportable, or at least very oppressive ; the bees hang 
in loose strings, instead of a compact body, as when 
kept cool; they are very apt to fall, and when they 
do, will rush out from every side: if the queen 
chances to drop with them, they may “step but.” 
Two thirds of all the bees that go to the woods are 
managed in this, or a similar manner, and may it not 
be said, they are fairly driven off? 
SELDOM GO OFF WITHOUT CLUSTERING. 
Perhaps one swarm in three hundred will depart 
for the woods without first clustering. I have had 
three times that number, not one of which has ever 
left me thus. Yet I have evidence not to be disputed 
that some will do it. Three instances have occurred 
near me that satisfied me of the fact. Two were lost, 
the other was followed to a tree, half a mile off; I 
assisted in cutting the tree, and hiving them. The 
cavity where they entered was very small, and con- 
tained old comb, made by a swarm a year or two pre- 
vious, which had probably starved, as there was too 
little room for storing sufficient honey for winter. 
This swarm, when hived and carried home, remained 
perfectly contented. 
DO SWARMS CHOOSE A LOCATION BEFORE SWARMING ? 
The inquiry is often made, Do all swarms have a 
place looked out before leaving the parent stock ? 
The answer to this must ever be guess-work. I could 
offer some circumstances indicating the affirmative 
very strongly, and as much for the negative ; and 
