The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-05-17
SWARMING BEES.

All insects, as well as the animal king
dom, have some means of reproducing
their like, that their race may not become
extinct. Nature and their instincts have
taught them how, and the time of season
when all elements and solar heat can as
sist them best. Perhaps the wisest and
most intelligent of insects is the honey
bee. In midwinter, when the mercury
drops down to Is and 20 degrees below
zero. they are making preparation to null
tiply their race in a wise and cunning way
Before the solar heat can assist them they
begin, first by only using small space of
comb, perhaps not larger in diameter than
a quarter dollar and not containing more
than fifty cells, and then directly on the
opposite side of the comb the same amount
of eggs are deposited. If the cluster is
large enough the opposite comb is used in
the same way. Now, after the eggs are
hatched into grubs and the temperature of
the hive will permit, the circle will be en-
larged and perhaps the adjoining comb
used.
This process is constantly repeated
every twenty-one days, every time en-
larging the circle. The queen is not so
particular when the days begin to warm
entire hive will soon be used to multiply
their number, but the population itself is
not sufficient to divide themselves into
colonies, unless all things are favorable.
They will not divide themselves into colo
nies be they ever SO numerous. In my
grandfather's time the population of the,
colony was sure sign of the colony cast
ing swarm, and many day, week and
perhaps month, was faithfully watched
for the cast, but all in vain But in these
days all enterprising bee-keeper can tell
the very condition of the colony, and
whether they are preparing to swarm with
in eight days or not by simply opening the
hive. An expert can tell by observing the
motion of the bees without making an ex-
animation inside. An expert can also
force the colony to cast Il swarm at his
command without dividing it,
A colony of bees, in their normal condi-
ton to cast swarm, must consist of one
good, prolific queen, from 10000 to $4,000
workers, and few hundred drones. Next
there must be a continuous flow of nectar
to be gathered, and the bees must have
daily gathering of honey and pollen of
from one to five pounds. To bring out a
natural, prime swarm, it must continue for
ten to twenty days, as this is essential for
the queen to develop her full laying capaci-
ty. She must lay from 1000 to 5000 eggs
daily for certain lenght of time to have
the colony in normal condition to cast a
prime swarm. Brood must be in all ages,
from the egg to the maturing bees, and the
queen must use all the comb in the hive
and all things must be favorable in the
field. If all these things exist you may
look for your bees to swarm, but if they
do not you do your watching in vain.
Even judges patience is not inexhaus
tible, if some of the stories told of GER
tam HgntS OF the leSal profession are W
be credited.
In a western court not long ago a tircsome
lawyer had been trying for more than two
hours to impress upon the jury the facts
of the case as they appeared to him. AT
last he glanced at his watch, and turning |
to the judge asked:
Had we better adjourn for Inner, or
Snail keep right on -
90, you keep on, and we will go to din |
ner."
wy coed man." said the severe lady, |
'.have you ever stopped to think how
much money is wasted each year for to-
bacco and rum?'
mo, mum, hain't,' answered the OBJ
ject, cts takin' all my time just now to
fgger how many poor families could be
supported off the price of the extra cloth
women put in their sleeves