ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 
i75 
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 usod to prevent the Issue of second os well os first swarms. If the simple 
turning over of two blocks will prevent oil swarming, snd without any ulterior 
evil consequences to the colony, it will moot the wonts of n lorge cluss of bee¬ 
keepers. 
The difference between theoretical conjectures and prnctlcol results is often so 
great, thnt nothing In the bee-line, or indeed in nny other line, should be considered 
os established, until by being submitted to rigorous demonstration, it has triumph- 
untly 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 ho 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 be so connected 
with tho other nine, thnt its failure renders their success of no account. 
* As soon as persons find thnt colonies can be multiplied at will, they arc very 
apt to so ovordo the matter, ns to risk losing thoir bees. Notwithstanding repented 
cautions to “make haste slowly,” sorno have multiplied so rapidly, as to ruin their 
stocks, and bring groat discredit on n.y hive, and system of management. Others 
will probably do tho same thing; for it would Beem that nothing but a sad expert- 
