SWARMING. 
225 
AFTER SWARMS. 
After swarms are second and third issues (or all 
after the first) from a stock ; and quite a different af- 
fair fiom the first, as also are some first swarms, when 
the old queen has been lost, being led out by young 
queens. 
THEIR SIZE. 
Second swarms are usually half as large as the first, 
the third half as large as the second, the fourth still 
less ; with some variations. I give general features, 
noticing only the exceptions that occur most frequent- 
ly ; others sometimes happen, but so seldom that men- 
tioning them is deemed unnecessary. 
TIME AFTER THE FIRST. 
Whenever the first swarm in a prosperous season 
was not kept back by foul weather , the first of the young 
queens in the old stock is ready to emerge in about 
eight days. We will suppose the first swarm issued 
on Sunday ; a week from the next Tuesday will be 
usually as soon as the second one need be expected. 
PIPING OF THE QUEEN. 
On the Monday evening previous, or on Tuesday 
morning, by putting your ear close to the hive, and 
listening attentively five minutes, you will hear a dis- 
tinct piping noise, like the word peep, peep , uttered 
several times in succession, and then an interval of 
silence ; two or more may be often heard at the same 
time; that of one will be shrill and fine, of another 
hoarse, short and quick. This piping is easily heard 
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