214 
SUMMER. 
Occasionally, when ready for a swarm and waiting 
for one to start, two may do so at once. Whenever a 
part have got on the wing, I never succeeded in stop- 
ping the issue : consequently I have found it useless 
trying to drive or coax them hack in such cases. To 
succeed, the means must be used in season, before any 
of the swarm leaves. 
WHEN TWO HAVE UNITED, THE METHOD OF SEPARATING. 
Two or more swarms will cluster together, and not 
quarrel, if put in one hive: I have already told you 
the disadvantages. Unless business is very urgent, 
your time cannot be better employed than in dividing 
them. First, it is necessary to provide a good stock 
of patience, as it may be a short job, or it may be a 
long one. Get two empty hives, and divide the bees 
as nearly equal as possible. It is generally the best 
way to spread a sheet on the ground, and shake the 
bees in the centre, and set the hives each side of the 
mass, their edges raised to allow the bees to enter ; if 
too many are disposed to enter one hive, set it farther 
off. If they cluster in a situation where they cannot 
be got to the earth in a body, they must be dipped off 
as before directed, but, in this case, putting a dipper 
full in each hive alternately, until all are in. They 
should be made to hurry some in going in ; keep the 
entrance clear, and stir them up often ; or sprinkle a 
very little water on them, as they should not be al- 
lowed to stop their humming until all are in. We 
have one chance in two of getting a queen in each. 
The two hives should now be placed twenty feet apart; 
