372 MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 



little during the remainder of the month, and should 

 not be opened or disturbed during the hours of labor. 

 Many bees are seen to cluster on the outside of the 

 hive, but no swarms need be expected unless pastur- 

 age is abundant, which is but seldom the case (except 

 in highly favorable districts) unless specially prepared 

 for them. 



AUGUST. 



Where bees have but little pasturage, as is the 

 case in many places, they remain inactive, except 

 they are excited to rob each other ; hence it is wrong 

 to open hives so that the combs are exposed. 



Do not feed any in this month, as it creates undue 

 activity that is injurious. Where buckwheat or other 

 honey-producing plants are cultivated in sufficient 

 quantities, bees gather and store honey with great 

 rapidity during this month ; in which case, empty 

 boxes are to be supplied and full ones removed with- 

 out delay. On wild lands, where the golden-rod and 

 other fall flowers prevail, this and the following month 

 afford a large yield of honey with which the winter 

 quarters are amply stored, besides a large surplus for 

 their owner. 



Each hive should be examined about the last of 

 this month, to see that they have a queen ; this can 

 be ascertained either by removing the rear slide F, 

 or front slide H, then by driving the bees from a por- 

 tion of the comb it is readily seen if there is worker 

 brood, this is a sufficient test ; if brood cannot thus 



