I must here observe that second and third swarms are very seldom, if
ever, worth preserving by themselves; but two second swarms, when
joined, are very little inferior in value to a first swarm, and the
union is very easily effected in the following manner:--When two
second swarms, or a second and third, come off on the same day, hive
them separately, and leave them till an hour and a half after sunset;
then spread a cloth upon the ground, upon which, by a smart and sudden
movement, shake all the Bees out of one of the hives, and immediately
take the other and place it gently over the Bees that are heaped
together upon the cloth, wedging up one side about half an inch, that
the Bees outside may pass under, and they will instantly ascend into it
and join those which, not having been disturbed, are quiet in their new
abode. Next morning before sunrise, remove this newly-united hive to
the place in which it is to remain. This doubled population will work
with double success, and in the most perfect harmony, and generally
become a strong stock, from which much profit may be derived.
Two second swarms, or a second and third, may be joined in the same
manner, although one of them may have swarmed some days or even weeks
later than the other; taking care, however, not to make the first
one enter the second, but the second the first. A third and a fourth
parcel of Bees may be joined to them at different times in the same way
till the stock becomes strong. It is almost impossible sufficiently
to impress upon the mind of every one who keeps Bees the necessity of
having his stocks _all strong_; for weak stocks are very troublesome,
very expensive, and seldom, if ever, afford any profit.
Mr. Taylor says, "The stronger the colony at the outset, the better
the Bees will work, and the more prosperous it will become. I never
knew a weak one do well long; and a little extra expense at first is
amply rewarded by succeeding years of prosperity and ultimate profit."
And again, "Thus strength in one year begets it in succeeding ones;
and this principle ought to be borne in mine by those who imagine that
the deficient population of one season will be made up in the next,
and that the loss of Bees in the winter is of secondary consequence,
forgetting how influential is their warmth to the earlier and increased
productive powers of the queen; and how important it is, in the opening
spring, to be able to spare from the home duties of the hive a number
of collectors to add to the stores, which would otherwise not keep pace
with the cravings of the rising generation."
It is a remarkable fact, that two weak stocks joined will collect
double the quantity of honey, and consume much less, than two of the
same age and strength kept separately. Stocks must be joined after
sunset, upon the day that one of them has swarmed; and the double stock
must be placed upon the stand it previously occupied; great care must
be taken not to shake the hive, nor must it be turned up. The combs
being new and tender, will easily break, and the stock by that means be
destroyed.