PROPER TIME TO TRANSPORT A SWARM
TO THE SITUATION DESIGNED FOR IT.
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, which
have been already pointed out by a most judicious and experienced
author. As soon as a swarm has congregated in the new hive, and seems
to be at ease in it, the most industrious among 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 swarm
be removed as soon as the bees are perceived coming out, with the
precautions I have mentioned. This sign alone is sufficient. Sometimes
I do not even wait until all the bees clustered in front, or on the
sides of the hive, are re-united to their companions in the interior,
as they are never long in being so; and this plan has always fully
succeeded with me.