SWARMING. 
221 
near a yard in length. When a swarm is ready to is- 
sue, the bottom of this frame is set up before the hive, 
one edge of the bottom rests on the bottom-board, the 
other against the side of the hive ; the top sets off from 
the hive at an angle of about 45 degrees, under which 
a brace is set to hold it. The muslin at the bottom is 
to wrap around the hive at the side to prevent the es- 
cape of the bees. The swarm rushes into this without 
any hesitation. 
When done coming but, the muslin at the bottom is 
drawn over it, and the frame is set in an upright posi- 
tion, and allowed to stand a few minutes for the bees 
to get quiet in the top. It is now to be laid on its 
side, the door opened, and the bees hived. In the few 
trials that I have given it, I succeeded without diffi- 
culty. But I would remark, that stocks from which 
1 swarms arc caught in this way, must not be raised at 
the back side, as a part of the swarm would issue there, 
and not get into the net. Mr. Loucks had his hive di- 
rectly on the board ; and he told me he kept them so 
through the season ; the only places of entrance was a 
space cut out of the bottom of the front side, about 
three inches wide by half inch deep, and a hole in the 
side a few inches up. You will thus perceive that 
stocks from which swarms are hived in this way must 
be prepared for it previously. Also, it will be no use 
to such bee-keepers as depend on seeing their swarms 
in the air. It will be beneficial only in large apiaries, 
where several swarms are liable to issue at once ; the 
swarming indications well understood, and the apiari- 
an on the lookout. 
