QA5 

 BEE CALENDAR. "" 



In the colder districts it will be necessary to prepare for winter- 

 ing bee stock. If any hive is showing signs of dilapidation, it is 

 better now to replace it with a new one than later on. Select a 

 suitable day for the work. Place the new home in close proximity 

 to the one in occupation. As each frame is removed carefully 

 examine it for any signs of bee enemies and disease. Well scrape 

 the outer edges of the frames to remove all accumulations of burr 

 comb. When replacing the frames slightly increase the inter- 

 space betweeen the brood combs ; this will admit of more bees 

 clustering between, and thus increase warmth. Where there are 

 movable floor-boards, and they are always to be preferred to fix- 

 tures, cleans'^ them from all debris. Examine all crevices, both 

 in floor-board and body of the hive. Place the supers in the store- 

 room. Invert the quilt — i.e., have the glaze side uppermost; the 

 woolly side will aid in the absorption of moisture caused by con- 

 densation. All debris that has been removed should be collected 

 together at once and burnt. The quantity of sealed honey in each 

 hive should be calculated before the bees are put up for wintering. 

 A pound of honey occupies about 16 square inches, more or less, 

 according to its thickness. A fairly strong colony will require 

 about 30 lb. to carry them through. The more honey is left for 

 winter purposes the better will be the spring results. Do not 

 leave any empty or nearly empty storage frames in the hive. The 

 nearer the storage honey is placed to the brood the better. If bees 

 and storage do not occupy the whole of the hive, put in the division 

 or dummy board. Keep all within the hive as compact as possible. 

 With the outside of the hive always anticipate a wet winter and 

 prepare for it. Make the top of the hive waterproof. If old 

 bagging or other absorbent materials are used, and for cold seasons 

 such things are extremely useful, there must bo something placed 

 on the top to throw off the rain, otherwise the continued dampness 

 will aid in rotting the hive. Free the suroundiugs from all 



weeds. Clear underneath the hives for ventilating purposes. 



In the warmer districts, last month's calendar may still be 

 followed. 



April. 



Winter is close upon us. In the coldest of our districts bees 

 have already retired to their winter quarters, and l>efore the month 

 is out the retirement will be general in the southern and mountain- 



