ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 
175 
accuracy of measurement, for a very trifling deviation 
from the dimensions given, will either shut out the loaded 
workers, or let out the queen. It should be used only 
to imprison old queens ; for young ones, if confined to 
the hive, cannot be impregnated. These blocks, if firmly 
fastened, will exclude mice from the hive in the Winter. 
When used to prevent all swarming, it will be necessary 
to adjust them a little after sunrise and before sunset, to 
allow the bees to carry out any drones that have died. 
Some bee-keepers, while reading these various processes 
for making artificial swarms, have probably thought that 
it would be much better to double the colonies by trans- 
ferring half the combs and bees of a full stock to an empty 
hive; but for reasons already assigned (p. 156), such a 
course, though apparently more simple, would be injuri- 
ous to the bees. 
Having detailed the methods which can be most advan- 
tageously used for doubling stocks in one season, by arti- 
ficial swarming, it seems proper to discuss the question 
whether it will be best to aim at a rate of increase more 
or less rapid than this* 
might be used to prevent the issue of second as well as first swarms. If the simple 
turning over of two blocks will prevont all swarming, and without any ulterior 
evil consequences to the colony, it will meet the wants of a large class of bee- 
keepers. 
The difference between theoretical conjectures and practical results is often so 
great, that nothing in the bee-line, or indeed in any other line, should bo considered 
as established, until by being submitted to rigorous demonstration. It has triumph- 
antly passed from the mere regions of the brain, to those of actual fact. A theory 
which may seem so plausible as almost to amount to positive demonstration, when 
put to the working test, may be encumbered by some unforeseen difficulty, which 
speedily convinces even the most sanguine that it has no practical value. Nine 
things out of ten may work to a charm, and yet the tenth may bo 60 connected 
with the other nine, that its failure renders their success of no account. 
* As soon as persons find that colonies can be multiplied at will, they are very 
apt to so overdo the matter, ns to risk losing their bees. Notwithstanding repeated 
cautions to “make haste slowly, “ some have multiplied so rapidly, as to ruin their 
stocks, and bring great discredit on my hive, and system of management. Others 
will probably do the same thing; for it would seem that nothing but a sad expert- 
