SWARMING AND HIVING. 
131 
be attached to a frame, should be used, both for its intrin- 
sic value, and because bees are so pleased when they find 
such unexpected treasures in a hive, that they will seldom 
forsake it. A new swarm often takes possession of a de- 
serted hive, well stored with comb ; whilst, it dozens of 
empty ones stand in the Apiary, they very seldom enter 
them of their own accord. It once seemed to me that an 
instinct impelling them to do so, would have been much 
better for us than the present arrangement ; but further 
reflection has shown me that, on the contrary, it would 
have been the fruitful origin of interminable broils among 
neighboring bee-keepers ; and that in this, as in so many 
other things, the instincts of the honey-bee have been de- 
vised with special reference to the welfare of man. 
When the frames* are first used for a new swarm, the 
rabbets on which they rest should be smeared with flour- 
paste ; this will keep the frames firm, till they are fastened 
with propolis by the bees. If hives are sweet and clean, 
the rubbing of them with various kinds of herbs or washes, 
is always useless, and often positively injurious. 
If there are no small trees or bushes near the Apiary, 
from which the swarms, when clustered, can be easily 
gathered, limbs of evergreen or other trees may be 
fastened into the ground, a few rods in front of the hives, 
which will answer a very good temporary purpose. If 
there are high trees near his stocks, the bee-master, unless 
some special precautions are used, will lose much time in 
hiving his swarms. 
Having noticed that a new swarm will almost always 
alight wherever they see a mass of clustering bees, I find 
that they can be determined to some selected spot by an 
old black hat, or even a mullen stalk, which, when colored 
black, can hardly be distinguished, at a distance, from a 
* For their proper adjustment, see Explanation of Platea. 
