176 agricultcrai essays. 



Management of Bees. 



In every swarm, or hive of bees, there are two sorts, beside 

 what is called the queen bee. She is distinguished by being 

 larger, and of a lighter red than the rest ; and it is said by 

 those who have investigated the eGonomy of bees, that she is 

 the leader of the swarm, and lays the eggs in the cells for 

 new broods, which consist of thousands every year. The 

 other kinds are the drones, which have no stings, are the dark- 

 est colored, and are supposed to be the males ; and the honey, 

 or working bees, which are much the most numerous. 



The bee-hive ought to be placed at a suitable distance from 

 places where cattle are kept, or where horses are tied ; and 

 from places where filth of any kmd is collected. It should be 

 open to the south, with the other sides close. It should stand 

 leaning forward a little, with the front part of the roof project- 

 ing over considerably, to prevent southerly rains from wetting 

 the hives. These should be kept dry, clean, and warm during 

 the winter ; though not so warm as to tempt the bees abroad 

 in warm winter days. 



The following method of managing bees is recommended 

 by Mr. Deane : place three hives of the same dimensions, 

 say ten inches in height, each, and fourteen inches in diameter 

 each way, are to be placed one on the top of the other. The 

 two undermost ones are to have square holes in the top, about 

 three inches in diameter, and covered with a sliding shutter. 

 Let each hive also have a place of entrance, two or three inches 

 long, and a third of an inch wide. The square holes in the two 

 lowermost are to be open. The bees will fill the uppermost 

 hive first. When this is full, which can be ascertained by- 

 weighing it in a cool morning, when the bees do not stir, take 

 it off and carry it into a room, with a window]open to the morn- 

 ing sun, and as this enlivens the bees, they will fly off to their 

 accustomed place, and commence their labors in storing the 

 second hive, which should then have the hole in its top closed. 

 When this is filled, the same process is to be repeated ; but 

 when they have filled the last hive, let it remam for the winter 

 stock of provisions for the swarm. In taking out the honey 

 from the hive, which should be done speedily, let those bees 

 which are found unable to fly, be thrown into a tub of water, 

 out of which they can crawl again, and they will soon recover 

 their wonted activity, and go after their companions. In this 

 way thexe is no necessity tor the process of fire and brimstone 



