SWARMING. 
209 
I resolved not to be baffled or have much more such 
trouble, and perhaps go to the woods at last, thereby 
setting a bad example. I put under the hive the 
wire-cloth bottom-board, opened two or three holes 
on the top, and covered these also with wire-cloth, 
(this was to let the air circulate) ; a quantity of honey 
and water was given them and they were then carried 
to the cellar, and kept prisoners four days, except 
half an hour before sunset; when too late to leave 
for a journey, 1 set them out to provide a few neces- 
saries, and then returned them to the cellar. In four 
days, when honey enough is given them, a good swarm 
will half fill an ordinary hive with combs. Some of 
the first eggs deposited will be about hatching into 
larvae, all of which would seem like too much to leave. 
I now set them out, and gave them liberty ; shading 
the hive, &c., as before directed. They all proved 
faithful and industrious, prospering like others. If 
their design was for a distant location, they put a good 
face on the matter in the end. 
HOW FAR WILL THEY GO IN SEARCH OF A HOME? 
How far they will travel in search of a home, is also 
uncertain. I have heard of their going seven miles, 
but could not learn how the fact was proved. I have 
no experience of my own in this matter, but will re- 
late a circumstance that happened near me a few 
years since. A neighbor was ploughing, when a swarm 
passed over him ; being near the earth, he “ pelted 
them heartily” with the loose dirt he had ploughed up, 
which seemed to bring them up, or rather down, as 
