552 BEE- keeper's calj:ndar. 



the bees are able to fly out and discharge their faeces, the 

 better. The bee-keeper must regulate the time oi housing his 

 bees by the season and climate, being careful neither to take 

 them in until cold weather appears to be fairly established, 

 nor to leave them out too late. A cold day, immediately after 

 a warm spell is the best time (647). 



890. December.— In regions where it is advisable to house 

 bees, the dreary reign of Winter is now fairly established, 

 and the directions given for January are for the most part 

 equally applicable to this month. It may be well, in hives 

 out of doors, to remove the dead bees and other refuse from 

 the bottom boards if the weather is warm enough for them 

 to fly; but, neither in this month nor at any other time should 

 this be attempted with those removed to a dark and protected 

 place. Such colonies must not, except under the pressure 

 of some urgent necessity, be disturbed in the very least. 



We I'ecommend to the inexperienced bee-keeper to read this 

 synojDsis of monthly management, again and again, and to be 

 sure that he fully understands, and punctually discharges, 

 the appropriate duties of each month, neglecting nothing, 

 and procrastinating nothing to a mure convenient season ; 

 for, while bees do not reguire a large amount of attention, 

 in proportion to the profits yielded by them, they must have 

 it at the proper time and in the right way. Those who com- 

 plain of their unprofitableness, are often as much to blame 

 as a farmer who neglects to take care of his stock, or to 

 gather his crojDs, and then denounces his employment as yield- 

 ing onlj' a scanty return on a large investment of capital and 

 labor. 



In Short. 



891. Spring.— Keep hives warm, give plenty of food, 

 help weak colonies, look out for robbers, remove drone-comb, 

 prepare for queen-breeding, and for the honey crop. 



892. Summer.— Watch for swarms; and make divisions, 



