CHAPTER XII.
Directions for Hiving Swarms.
Bees managed upon the Depriving System, rarely swarm, and are seldom found clustering at the mouth of the hive, for every bright hour during the honey season they seem to turn to profit, when, however, Clustering or Swarming takes place, it generally arises from the Box not having been put on sufficiently early in the season, or for the want of a second Box; if a swarm should from these causes be compelled to leave the hive, let it be put into a new improved Cottage Hive, (see [fig. 3.]) in the usual manner.
I have always adopted the plan of placing my swarms where they are to remain, within ten or fifteen minutes after the time of their being hived, and in this practice Gelieu agrees with me, for he says, "most people who have Bees allow their Swarms to remain till the evening in the place where they have alighted, and do not move them to the Apiary till after sunset, this method has many inconveniences.
"As soon as a swarm has congregated in the new hive, and seems to be at ease in it, the most industrious amongst the Bees fly off to the fields, but with a great many precautions. They descend the front of the hive, and turn to every side to examine it thoroughly, then take flight, and make some circles in the air in order to reconnoitre their new abode, they do the same in returning. If the Swarm has taken flight in the morning, the same Bees make several excursions during the day, and each time with less precaution, as becoming familiarized with their dwelling, they are less afraid of mistaking it, and thus, next morning, supposing themselves in the same place, they take wing without having observed where they have spent the night, and surprised at their return not to find the hive in the same place, they fly about all day in search of it, until they perish with fatigue and despair. Thus many hundreds of the most industrious labourers are lost, and this may be entirely avoided, if the Swarms be removed as soon as the Bees are perceived coming out—this sign alone is sufficient.
"Sometimes I do not even wait till all the Bees clustered in front or on the sides of the Hive, are reunited to their companions in the interior, as they are never long in being so; and this plan has always fully succeeded with me."
Experience has long since proved, that the custom of beating warming-pans and the like, at the time a swarm leaves the hive is perfectly useless, as well as the ridiculous practice of dressing the Hive, as it is called, by drenching it with beer, honey, fennel, &c.; the former is considered by persons of observation, actually to prevent the Bees from alighting so soon as they would otherwise do; and the latter frequently to compel them to leave the hive. The best method is to watch the Swarm in silence, and after it has once collected, to lose no time in hiving it into a new, clean, and dry Hive. Much time and trouble may be spared the Bees, if the loose straw be removed from the interior of the hive, the best method of effecting which, is to singe them with a wax taper, and afterwards to remove them with a hard brush.
I have for many years past discontinued the use of sticks across the interior of my hives, for they cause much unnecessary trouble to the Bees in the construction of their combs; every facility should be given to a fresh swarm in their labors, for they have much to do, as Dr. Aikin has very beautifully said for them in the
SONG OF THE BEES.
We watch for the light of the morn to break,