370 MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 



hives and stands, so that no delay will occur when 



the season of swarming arrives. 



<* 



MAY. 



Continue to feed liberally during this month, or 

 until the white clover and other sources of pasturage 

 are in bloom, at which time it is to be discontinued. 

 By this means, each hive in the whole stock is full of 

 bees, and the combs are full of brood, besides stores 

 in reserve. 



Should the season be favorable, primary divides 

 may be made as early as the twentieth of this month, 

 and in some places still earlier. Occasional swarms 

 may be expected under favorable circumstances, to- 

 wards the last of this month. 



JUNE. 



This is the great swarming month, and is the busi- 

 est, besides the most profitable one to the bee-keeper 

 in the whole year, whether he lets the bees swarm 

 the natural way or divides them. 



Where they are left to swarm of their own accord, 

 gurplus boxes should be placed in the chambers as 

 early as the first of June. (In some places they 

 should be put in one month earlier.) These boxes 

 seldom retard the bees from swarming, and as they 

 are usually filled, or nearly so, by that time, are so 

 much clear gain. 



Bees should (if not divided) be constantly watched 

 during the whole of this month, from eight o'clock 



