Practical Farmer

Not sure where this comes from. A beekeeper I know sends these tidbits out on the San Francisco Beekeepers' list serve and I like to post them here for all to enjoy.

Mail - February 19, 1875, Hagerstown, Maryland

Why Do Bees Swarm ? -The question is
often asked why do bees swarm?
We answer, simply because they were so
created. Like the animal and insect world
to multiply and increase their species, which
is just as natural when conditions are favor
able as "the sparks to fly upwards;" but one
tells us "they only swarm when they are
forced to it." This is contrary to the law of
nature. From the beginning of time bees
have bees known to swarm, and strange to
any their flight has been towards the "setting
sun"—yes, even in advance of civilization
they have reached the "far West," Bee
will swarm when the conditions are favorable, 
even when their domicile is not on
fourth filled.—Practical Farmer.