THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 
lU 
aiid buzzing, passing and repassing, wlieeling about in 
rapid circles, like a group of maddened bacchanals. Out 
runs the good housewife, with the frj'ing-pan and key— 
the orthodo.x instruments for ringing — and never ceases 
her rough, music, till the bees have settled. This custom, 
as old as the birth of Jupiter, is one of the most pleasing 
and exciting of the countryman’s life ; and there is an old 
colored print of bee-ringing still occasionally met with on 
the walls of a country inn, that has charms for us, and 
imikes us think of bright sunny weather in the dreariest 
November day. Whether, as Aristotle says, it affects 
them through pleasure or fear, or whether, indexed, they 
hear* it at all, is still as uncertain as that philosopher left 
it; but we can wish no better luck to every bee-master 
that neglects the tradition, than that he may lose every 
swarm for which he omits to raise this time-honored con¬ 
cert.” 
If, before its issue, a swarm has selected a new home, 
no amount of M 02 'sewill compel them to alight, but .as soon 
as the emigi'ating colony have all left the hive, they fly 
in a “ bee-line” to the chosen spot. I have noticed, that 
such unceremonious leave-taking, though quite common 
when bees are neglected, seldom occurs when they are 
jirojierly cared for. 
When the Apiarian perceives that a swarm, instead of 
clustering, rises higher and higher in the air and means to 
depart, not a moment must be lost: instead of empty 
noises, he should resort to means much more effective tc 
stay their vagrant propensities. Water or diit thrown 
among them, will often so disorganize them as to compel 
them to alight. The most original of all devices for sto])- 
* The piping of the queen has a sliriH, metallic Bound, which pottnihly may 
overpowered by tho ringing, so as to distract bees which Intend to decamp, ano 
cause them to alight. 
