354 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OfE. Doc. 



The dilTerent thiiifrs that have been lauded as cures for bee-stings 

 count by the hundred. Perhaps nothing is better than a poultice 

 of common mud. The experienced bee-keeper, however, does not 

 often bother with anything as a cure, partly because he does not 

 find that any of the cures raalvc so very much ditference, and partly 

 because he does not want to waste time with them. He will tell 

 you, "The very best thing to do for a sting is to get the sting out 

 and then think of something else while you go on with your work." 



SPRING WORK. 



If everything has been properly done the previous season, very 

 little work will be required by the bees in the spring. Those that 

 have been outdoors ail winter will need no attention, unless it be 

 to have dead bees quietly scraped away from the entrance, and what- 

 ever has been done in the way of packing to keep them warm will 

 be better undisturbed till weather is fairly warm. 



Those that were wintered iu the cellar must, of course, be put on 

 their summer stands when the weather becomes sufficiently favor- 

 able, and it is not the easiest thing to decide just when that should 

 be done. SomeAvhere about the time soft or red maples are in 

 bloom will not be far out of the way. So long as the bees are quiet 

 in the cellar, there is little danger from further confinement, and 

 they are as well oil there as to be out trying to get about in chilly 

 weather when thei*e is nothing for them to gather. But if they are 

 uneasy, aifected with diarrhoea, and spotting the front of the hives, 

 it may be best to hurry matters a little. In that case they may be 

 brought out early in March, if the case seems urgent, but never 

 at a time when they cannot lly immediately after being taken out. 

 If the air is still and the sun shining bright, this may be when the 

 thermometer is at 50 degrees, but it is better to be warmer. If 

 brought out when it is too cool, they will come out of the hives, 

 become chilled, and many of them will never return. 



Some warm days come in February or March when the ther- 

 mometer in the cellar, instead of remaining at about 45 degrees, 

 runs up to 50 degrees, or higher, and the bees become very uneasy. 

 But a long cold spell may come after this, and it is better to per- 

 suade the bees to remain iu the cellar. At such times, open at night 

 all the doors and windows of the cellar, so the fresh cool air may 

 freely enter. This will probably set the bees into a still worse 

 roar, but do not be alarmed. By morning all will be quieted down, 

 and the cellar can be again darkened. 



"When it comes time to take the bees out, and vou are sure thev 

 can have a good flight the day they are brought out, let the cellar 

 be opened all night the night before, so the bees will be quiet. If 



