216 
SUMMER. 
will not demean herself to use that for a common foe ; 
she must have a royal antagonist. When successful in 
obtaining one, it is sufficient ; put her in a tumbler or 
some safe place; then put your bees in two hives, 
place them as directed, and you will soon learn where 
your queen is needed. After all is done, the two hives 
should not be nearer than twenty feet, at least the first 
day ; perhaps forty would be still better. When two 
swarms are mixed, and then separated, it is evident 
that a portion of each swarm must be in both hives. 
A queen in each must of course be a stranger to at 
least a part of the bees ; these might, if their own 
mother was too near, discover her, and leave the stran- 
ger for aii old acquaintance, and, in the act of going, 
call or attract the whole with them, including the 
queen. I have known a few instances of the kind. If 
you are disposed to separate them, but are afraid to 
work among them to this extent in the middle of the 
day, or if there is danger of more issuing, to mix with 
them, and add to your perplexity, of which you al- 
ready have enough, then you can hive them as a single 
SOME PRECAUTIONS IN HIVING TWO SWARMS TOGETHER. 
swarm ; but, instead of a bottom-board, invert an empty 
hive and set the one with the swarm on this, and insert a 
wedge between them, for ventilation. As many bees 
are liable to drop down, in this case the lower hive 
will catch them, and there is less danger of leaving. 
Let them remain till near sunset, when another 
course may be taken to find a queen, though by that 
time one is sometimes killed ; yet it is well to know 
