SWARMING AND HIVINO. 
Ill 
lions, it is evident that swarming, so far from being tlie 
forced or unnatural event which some imagine, is one, 
which could not possibly be dispensed with, in a state of 
nature. 
Let us now inquire under wh.at circumstances swarm- 
ing ordinarily takes place. 
The time when new swarms may be expected, depends, 
of course, upon the clim.ate, the forwardness of the season, 
and the strength of the stocks. In our Northern .and 
middle States, they seldom issue before the latter part of 
May; .and June may there be considered as the great 
swarmuig month. In Brownsville, Texas, on the lower 
Rio Grande, bees often swarm quite early in March. 
In the Spring, as soon as a hive well filled* with 
comb, can no longer accommod.ate its teeming popul.ation, 
the bees prepare for emigration, by building a number of 
roy.al cells. These cells arc begun about the time that 
the drones make their appearance in the open air; .and 
when the young queens arrive at maturity, the males are 
usually very numerous. 
The first swarm is invariably led off by the old queen, 
unless she has died from accident or disease, when it is ac¬ 
companied by one of the young ones reared to supply her 
loss. The old mother, unless delayed by unfavorable 
weather, usually leaves soon after one or more of the lojal 
cells are sealed over. Tliere are no signs from which 
the Apiarian can predict the certain issue of n jirst swarm. 
For years, I spent much time in the vain attemi>t to dis¬ 
cover some hifallihle indications ot fir.st swarming , until 
facts convinced me that there can be no such indications. 
• In onr NorOicrn nnd Middle States, bees seldom swaim imle.ss the Wvc is 
tilled with comb; lu Southern ktltndes, however, the swarming instinct seems to 
be much more powerful. In Mntamorns and Urownsville, I have seen many 
colonies issno from hives only partially tilled with comb. 
