POULTRY AND BEES. 501 



as soon as they are set out in tlie spring. We prefer tliat no 

 two hives should have an entrance less than one rod apart. If 

 it is desirable to place hives nearer than this, turn the entrances 

 in different directions, and do not change their positions after the 

 bees have marked it. Thousands of bees are lost from getting 

 into the wrong hives when the hives are too near together. 

 While the hives should all be of exactly the same size, the 

 fronts may be painted different colors, or set in irregular order 

 so that each bee may readily distinguish his own." 



April will usually bring some sunny da3's and a few blossoms, 

 but if your stocks are strong and you have fed as directed, your 

 increased and increasing brood are consuming a large amount 

 of honey. As you went through the hives last month you saw 

 the state of each colony. If any had more brood comb than 

 honey they will now require feeding. A little judicious feed- 

 ing is desirable, even in well supplied hives. It encourages the 

 workers, both to early swarming and to storing surplus honey, 

 A mixture of equal parts of honey and sugar is the best for 

 feeding. Southern honey will answer. Boil and remove the 

 scum; when it cools- turn into an empty comb, or into saucers, 

 and put them in the place of the honey boxes. With a Lang- 

 stroth hive you can take out a frame and oomb, and insert 

 another containing the feeding mixture. If you feed in saucers, 

 chop up straw and sprinkle on the surface of the mixture, or 

 your bees will be drowned in it. As soon as the blossoms are 

 abundant remove the feed. [Sei Winter Management for further 

 remarks on feeding) Every bee that you keep alive now will 

 bring you in golden treasures bye and bye. The supply of 

 water should be continued, as the bees are still maturing large 

 numbers of brood. 



May. Have hives ready for swarming. As the weather be- 

 comes warmer the increase of bees in the hives is amazing. 



