Year: 1861

stores. Early in the month the Bhi1'
clover, the linden, and the locust trees
/ come into blossom, and various other cul
tivated plants, as well as wild flowers
yield seemingly inexhaustibIe supplies
The days are long, the nights are warm
and the active little labOrers are thus in.
cited to untiring exertion. Ia most dis.
trlcls swarming now begins, and those
now issuing are frequently more valua.
bic even than those obtained in May, be-
ing stronger, and coming when paslurage
is more abundant.


The unremitting attention of the bee
keeper is now demanded. If his bees
are in common hives, and the stocks are
populous, they will want watching daily,
from about nine o'clock in the morning
till three in the afternoon, unless he con-
cludes 10 drive out a swarm from each
that is in a suitable condition for such
an operation--thus saving time, avoiding
protracted anxiety, and obViating risk of
loss from the escape of swarms. Hives
for the accommodation of young stocks
should be previously provided, and every
needful arrangement made IN advance
for the prompt and proper disposal of
natural or artificial swarms. All this is
the more important when the apiarian
has IN charge a large number of stocks,
in good condition, and many of which
are Likely to be ready TO smarm at near
ly the same time.


Driving should be rarely undertaken
until the colonies are strong, and the bees
cluster out over night, bnt when that is
the case it may be resorted to with deci-
ded advantage. II may now also be usu-
ally adopted in the case of colonies in
in common hives which have much old
comb or an old queen. A young and
fertile queen should be substituted for
the old one in the driven swarm; and in
about three weeks, when all the brood
in the old hiue has emerged, the unser-
viceable combs in II may be removed
and the workers allowed to construct new
in its stead. Should the season, howev-
er, be unfavorable, they will be greatly
assisted if supply of empty combs can
be given to them al intervals.


Dividing stocks, and thus forming ar
ti6cial colonies, can be conveniently prac-
ticed orly where moveabe-comb hives
are employed. 1t is highly interesting
mode of multiplying stock and, apart
from its practical utility, affords the api-
arian the best possible opportunity to ap-
ply and increase his theoretical knowl-
edge. Reading and study will not alone
suffice experience and experiment are
needed in addition, to make him skill
ful and successful operator, and inspire
him with confidence in his own resources.


Many persons regard the division of
a colony as so formidable an undertak-
ing, that they engage in it with reluc-
lance at first, even when convinced of
the advantage attending or resulting from
il. And not few, after placing swarms
in movable comb hives, never venture
to use the means thus at command for
improving their bee culture. The old
fashioned gums are the best inUention
which such bee-keepers could use, and
they should never think of using any
other on their premises. To be Of ser
vice, the moveable-comb hive must be
used inteligently as such--as the efficient
means of practically executing what SCI
ence and theory teach, and season or oc-
casion requires.


But there is great danger also that
this business Of dividing may be over
done by new beginneys who have just
learned to operate with facility and con-
fdence. The ease with which colonies
may be thus multiplied, leads them into
temptation; and they go on dividing and
subdividing, in season and out of season,
till in the end they have neither quotienl
nor remainder left. These act on the
other extreme but if they had go0d
sense enough to perceive that the fault is
in themselves, and not in the system they
will speedily be cured of this prOpensi-
ty TO grow rich too fast, and in future
with moderate and seasonable, and there
fore certain increase. Beginners should
ever bear in mind that they are still lear
ers, and must calculate on having to pay
a tuition fee, in some form or other, be-
fore they secure a diploma.


If the weather continues fine and pas
turage abundant, so that the bees can
gather honey abundantiy. they may soon
be in want Of storage room. and access 20
some Of the surplus honey boxes should
be given, even though there be still some
vacant space IN the brOoding apartment
of the hive. Bees are az such times dis
posed to take possession Of surplus boxes
than at a later period, when, from d.
minished supplies, their ardor is some
what abated.


The later in the season a swarm IS
sues. OF an artificial colony is made, the
stronger il should be, or the more II
should be aided, to get 1t in a condition
to pass the ensuing winter more safely.
If a full supply Of well-presersed empty
combs can be given to such. It viii save
much labor, and enable 1t to reserve for
future use the honey it may still be able
10 gather. Combs in whirh brood has
been reared, may al lines be procured
from old colonies, and Is preferable to
new for the use Of late swafnss or ma1e
colonies, because 1t retains heat better,