SWARMING. 
217 
the fact. Take them to some place out of the sun, as 
a less number will fly during the operation. 
HOW TO FIND QUEEN, WHEN TWO STRANGERS ARE TOGETHER. 
First, look into the lower hive for a dead queen, and 
if none is found there, look thoroughly, as far as pos- 
sible, for a little compact cluster of bees, the size of a 
hen s egg, that may be rolled about without separat- 
ing. Secure this cluster in a tumbler ; it is quite sure 
one of the queens is a prisoner in the middle ;* should 
two be seen, get both. Then divide the bees, and give 
the one destitute, a queen ; or, if you have two, one to 
each as the case may be. It would be well first to 
see if the queen was alive, by removing the bees from 
about her. But should you find nothing of the kind 
spread a sheet on the ground, shake the bees on one 
end of it, and set the hive on the other ; they will im- 
mediately begin a march for the hive. You may now 
see the cluster, and may not; but they will spread out 
in marching, and give a good chance to see her ma- 
jesty, when a tumbler is the most convenient thin- to 
set over her. No matter if a few bees are shut°up 
and dll Stra “fT eenS ’ introdilced a stock or swarm, are secured 
and detained m th.s manner by the workers, butwhether they dispatch 
hem, or th.sis ameans adopted to incite them to a deadly conflict, 
Z he h° TT 1 ShaU “ 0t aMempt a deeis!on ' as 1 “ever 
bees voluntarily release a queen thus confined. But I have 
een queens, when no bees interfered, rush together in a fatal rencoun- 
ter and one of them was soon left a fallen victim of the contest. 'Tis 
^ never happens that both are killed in these battles, -perhaps 
no d d DeVCr SaW qUiU M ° f theSe r ° yal °° mbats - 0f couree 1 
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