Taking Care of Swarms.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1902, 4 June 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

Taking Care of S warms.

While the plan of dividing seems to prevail with beekeepers, we think we are safe in saying that swarming is the rule. It seems that bees know befcterhow to divide themselves than we know how to divide them. Especially i 8 this the case with first owarms, hence an article on how to take care of swarms might not be considered a thing of no use. In the first place it is elways in place to make arrangements for swarms, from the fact that it matters not how much pains wo take to prevent it we shall occasionally have a swarm, and to make previous provisions for the same ia a necessity. A swarming box is made of light stuff some 10xl0il8 inches, placed on a poie eight or ten feet long. This box should be perforated with holes one and a half icob.es apart each \.ay, and the boleß may be one inch in diameter. If we chance to have a sw&rm, and do not like to cut and mutilate out fruit trees, this box prevents all this, besides it is a great convenience in handling swarms. After the swarm baa pretty well settled in a cluster, push this box up to it, and the bees will readily go into it. Or if a part only adheres to it, shake the remainder c£f the limb or branch of tree. If on a post or fence use a brush (that should be provided for the purpoßo) or a leafy twig, or wisp of grass. When they are dislodged they will occupy the swarming box. When well in they may bo carried to the hive, which should be placed and properly arranged ready to receive the Bwarm. When approaohing a hive with a swarm, brash a small portion of the bees off at the entrance of the hive and thus get them started into it before you dislodge the entire swarm. I have known swarms to depart for parts unknown, just because the entire swarm was dumped out of the swarming box before thus showing them the entrance, and as a matter of fact they took wing and flew off. To properly arrange a hive to receive a swarm is a matter of importance. In thes9 days of advancement we never put a swarm into an empty hive. If we do not have frames of comb we use foundation and fi.lL all the frames. Hives should be located ready to receive swarms, so that no moving around after the swarm is in them is neoeesary. Hives mußt be set level, from side to side at least. Indeed a spirit level should be used, for we must have the foundation hang plump in the frames if we expect straight oombs. Swaims sometimes desert their hives, but not often. They may abscond from the fact that the hive is sitting in the hot sunshine. Hives thus situated should be shaded for a few days, for the young and tender combs may break down. It is a pretty good rule always to insert a frame of young brood and honey into a new awarm. This not only entices them to accept of their new home, but gives them a good start. It will be observed that the newswarm will have no increase of bees for twenty-one dnyg after swarming, hencs they mast dearease £n population up to that time. Inserting a frame of brood will be the means of keeping ap the Btrength of the colony. 16 is a good plan and pfcould be done every time. If {he queen's winga are clipped, which is often done, it requires different core eomewhafc. If car bees are ia abw ax ruing condition, and wo axe expecting swarme, it is necessary that we be with. them, during: swarming lime, for if we are not we shalL loea our qpeene. Wben a 6warra issues with a clipped queen, it is oar business, to procure her at the instant the awarm is out upon the wing. While wa havo the quean, thus secured in a cage, move the old hive a fihorfi distance, place the new one in its stead.being careful fo have the entrance Just at the same place cf the former, and the swarm upon finding their queen absent will return and march, right into the new hive, where you may let the queen go in with them. After all is settled move the new hive to » new looation and replace the parent itock. -