1 Nov., 1897.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 373 
number of blocks required. They should be cut into pieces, of which two 
sides are 34 inches long and the other 4% inches. Three of these blocks 
will close the entrance to the hive when required—say for keeping the 
bees in while you cut the grass in front ; but in hot weather the entrance is left 
the full width of the hive. 
Frames.—Each hive contains ten frames in which the combs are built, and 
which are spaced equally across the hive, so that when in their proper places 
they are 1} inches from centre to centre of the frame. 
There are two kinds of frames used, called loose and fixed frames. The 
loose frames require to be spaced with the hand, but the fixed sort have a 
projection on them to make them self-spacing. 
The size of the frame is as follows :— 
Top bar ... ... 19 inches by $-inch by $-inch 
Bottom bar ... 162 inches by $-inch by $-inch 
End bar ... 8 inches by 2-inch by $-inch. 
To make a set of ten frames requires 45 feet of $-inch by $-inch pine. 
BEES SWARMING. 
SwARMING is a natural impulse with bees. With the spring comes the desire 
to change quarters, and increase the species. First, queen cells are built, and 
when the queen discovers them she ealls her loyal offspring around her, and 
prepares to leave the hive she has inhabited during the past twelve months. 
The time chosen to leave the hive is when the queen cells are capped over, say 
about the ninth day. If carefully watched, the day the swarm will issue may 
be pretty accurately gauged. The night before the swarm issues, the queen 
emits a peculiar cry or sound, something like the “ peet’’ of an unhatched 
chick in its shell. If this be listened for, and heard, it may be safely taken 
for granted that the swarm will leave the old hive the next morning. The 
queen does not leave the hive first; she waits until the bees are fairly out and 
in the air, and then her majesty follows. She has unloaded her ovaries 
previously ; but, unaccustomed to using her wings, she cannot fly very far, 
and, as a rule, settles within easy reach of the hive. Should the swarm 
appear to be long in settling, the surest way of making them alight is to 
sprinkle water over them from a bucket and with a syringe. Should a syringe 
not be obtainable, the hand may be used. Even after they have settled, it will 
do no harm to sprinkle the swarm with water before shaking them into their 
new hive. Bees are not given to stinging when swarming, so long as they are 
gently handled. They should not be jarred or shaken, except at the last 
moment, when it is desired to dislodge them from the branch upon which they 
have settled. It is better to have hives waiting for the swarms than swarms 
waiting for the hives. A comb of eggs and brood should be placed in the new 
hive, when the bees will immediately commence work, but otherwise the 
smallest strip of foundation starter should be given the bees. ‘This is the time 
when bees make wax, and not honey, and they should be made to draw out new 
combs in their fresh home. The usual practice is to place the new hive, well 
propped up, over a sheet, and to shake the swarm in front of it. A little smoke 
will soon drive them into the hive, when they may be left until nightfall, and 
then moved to their permanent position. Should it be desired to check 
swarming, Mr. Bolton advises simply turning the body upside down, when the 
queen cells are formed. It is claimed that this effectually destroys all embryo 
queens. With the Heddon hive this is easily done, but with the Langstroth 
hive the frames should be wedged previously. 
The‘ ownership of swarms leaving an apiary is a much-vexed question. So 
long as the swarm is followed from the time it leaves the hive, the bees may be 
claimed by the apiarist, but it is doubtful whether they can be claimed once 
sight of them has been lost. The owner of the land upon which a swarm 
settles has the first claim to them under other circumstances, but the law is 
not explicit even upon this point.‘ The Drone,” in the Australasian. 
