224 
SUMMER. 
ready to leave one or two days short of the time re- 
quired for second swarms. Whether a greater num- 
ber of bees in the old stock creating more animal heat, 
matures the chrysalis in less time than a stock thinned 
by casting a swarm, or some other cause, I cannot say. 
I mention it because I have known it to occur fre- 
quently, but not invariably. A swarm flying, unac- 
companied by a queen, is scattered more than usual. 
FIRST ISSUES GENERALLY CHOOSE FAIR WEATHER. 
First swarms are commonly more particular as to 
weather than after swarms. They have several da} 7 s 
from which to choose, after these royal cells are ready, 
and before the queens are matured ; and they usually 
take a fair one. But here again are exceptions. I 
once had two first swarms issue in a wind that kept 
every branch of tree and bush in agitation to such a 
degree that it was impossible to find any such place 
to cluster. I expected their return to the old hive ; 
but here were more exceptions. After repeating a 
fruitless attempt at the branches, they gave it up, and 
came down amongst the grass on “ terra firma.” This 
occurred after several days of rainy weather. The 
next day being pleasant, twelve issued ; almost prov- 
ing that the wind the preceding day kept back a part. 
I also knew one to issue in a shower, that beat many 
of them to the ground before they could cluster. In 
this case the shower was sudden, the sun shone almost 
up to the time it began to rain. About this time the 
swarm started when it seemed they were unwilling to 
turn about. 
