OR, MANtJAI, OF THE APIARY. 513 



flights do no good, and wear out the bees. Colonies that are 

 uneasy and besmear their hives are not wintering well, and 

 may be set out and allowed a good flight and then returned. 

 In California we do the April work of the East. 



Early in this month the bees may all be put out. It will 

 be best to feed all, and give all access to flour, when they will 

 work at it, though usually they can get pollen as soon as they 

 can fly out to advantage. Keep the brood-chamber contracted 

 so that the frames will all be covered, and cover well above 

 the bees to economize heat. 



The colony or colonies from which we desire to rear queens 

 and drones should now be fed to stimulate breeding. By care- 

 ful pruning, too, we may and should prevent the rearing of 

 drones in any but the best colonies. If from lack of care the 

 previous autumn any of our colonies are short of stores, now 

 is when it will be felt. In such cases feed either honey, sugar, 

 or syrup, or place candy on top of the frames beneath the oil- 

 cloth cover. Remember that plenty of stores insures rapid 

 breeding. In California we will do the May work of the East 

 in April. 



MAY. 



Prepare nuclei to start extra queens. Feed sparingly till 

 bloom appears. Give room for storing. Extract if necessary, 

 and keep close watch for swarms. Now, too, is the best time 

 to transfer. 



JUNE. 



Keep all colonies supplied with vigorous, prolific queens.' 

 Divide the colonies or allow swarming as may be desired. 

 Extract if necessary, or best, adjust frames or sections, if comb 

 honey is desired, and be sure to keep all the white clover honey, 

 in whatever form taken, separate from all other. Now is the 

 best time to Italianize. 



JULY. 



The work this month is about the same as that of June. 

 Keep the basswood honey by itself, and tier up sections as 



