Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/212

208 This table is probably not far from the truth; but in experiments to ascertain the fact with unquestionable correctness, it is very necessary to take into the account the state of the bees at the time when the calculation is made. If they are alive, they weigh less than when dead; and if weighed immediately after they have emigrated from the mother-hive, allowance, to the amount perhaps of a fifth, must be made for the honey and farina with which they are then loaded. On Artificial Swarms.—Artificial swarming is not generally practised in this country, owing probably to the want of sufficient practical skill, in most of those who apply themselves to Bee-husbandry. In many cases, however, it might be had recourse to with great advantage, and in some it is indispensable if it is desired to reap the full benefit of the stock. It saves the watching necessary in the case of natural swarms; and if conducted on right principles, renders the artificial colony quite independent of the casualties to which natural swarms are liable. Moreover, it secures the multiplication of swarms in cases, where if left to the natural process, there would be none. Should a continued tract of bad weather take place about the usual period of swarming, the old queen would have time and opportunity to destroy all the royal progeny,—for the bees never oppose the queen mother in such cases,—and thereby entirely frustrate the hope of multiplication by natural swarms. To avoid this evil we must have recourse to artificial swarming. The general period proper for the operation is about eight or ten days previous to the time