36 
HIVES. 
Call these stocks worth five dollars each, which makes 
$2560, all added together will make the snug little 
sum of about $3500, against $55. It is not to be ex- 
pected that any of us will realize profits to this ex- 
tent, but it is a forcible illustration of the advantages of 
the swarming hive over the non-swarmer. 
PRINCIPLE OF SWARMINO NOT UNDERSTOOD. 
But many of these non-swarmers, ’tis said, can be 
changed to swarmers to suit the convenience of the 
apiarian — Colton’s is one. It is asserted that it can 
be made to swarm within two days at any time, merely 
by taking off the six boxes or drawers that are very 
ingeniously attached ; as this contracts the room, the 
bees are forced out. Now I will candidly confess that 
I could never get this thing to work at all. Of this I 
am quite positive, that he (Mr. Colton) is either ignor- 
ant of the necessary and regular preparations that 
bees make before swarming, or supposes others are. 
Mr. Weeks has advocated the same principle: he says, 
“ There is no queen in any stage of existence, in the 
old stock, immediately after the first swarm leaves it.” 
I have examined this matter till I am satisfied I risk 
but little in the bold assertion, that not one stock in 
fifty will cast a swarm short of a week after commenc- 
ing preparations. This opinion will be adopted by 
whoever will take the trouble to investigate for them- 
selves. (The chapter on swarming will give the ne- 
cessary instructions for examining this point, if you 
wish.) 
