1236 cycLOT*a)i^ of ViJVB stock and complete stock doctor. 





square, and, \ 'he.: filled with comb, will contain about a pound of honey. 

 A number of then Miaced sMe by side, and joined together, 

 will oc(aipy the same space in the hive as the larger frame. 

 The .small frames a^e far more convenient ff)r handling 

 t.han the larger ones, ai^d by their use the honey can be sold 

 in the frames i;i q?.ii..ntidcs to suit retail buyers. Most of 

 the California honey shipped eastward, comes in these snii.-! ^'^mall frame. 



frames just as the bees made it. 



As bcfon; said, whatever the hive let 

 it be sim-jle ; and since none of the 

 standard hives are now covered by 

 patents, a practical man ought to be 

 able easily to judge what suits his idea 

 lest. The cut will show one of the 

 jiovablc frames filled with a wired 

 f^.i taken as show li -^ a movable frame 



MOVABLE FRAME FILLED AVITH COMP 



comb foundation, and may also 

 filled with coml). 



II. Number of Swarmt Pi'ofltably kept, on a b arm. 

 The great mistake made by farmers in bee keeping is, t^iat they are too 

 eager to increase the number of their swarms. When a few swanns are 

 kept the bees remain healthy and give plenty of sur[)lus honey, because 

 they find plenty of natural forage. Swarms, on the other hand, are ex- 

 tended until ten, tAventy, fifty, and even more, are working; then come 

 light crops of honey, disease, moth and other pests, and, at last, starva- 

 licr puts an end to the experiment. Artificial feeding and precise care 

 may, indeed; prevent this ; but the fanner cannot spare the time from 

 his other duties, though the specialist may. We have never been able to 

 keep more than twenty swarms, even on one of the best of feeding 

 grounds, without special care and feedhig ; and the greatest profit for 

 the least outlay has been from ten or twelve swarms ; seme locations 

 will not support more than half this number. Every farm r nge should 

 keep five or six sAvarms nicely. Our advice, therefore, is, understock 

 rather than overstock. 



m. Swarming. 



The proper time for bees to sAvarm is as early in the season ii pos- 

 sible. If they have been properly wintered, that is, if they are strong, 

 swarming will begin about the time apple trees are in full bloom. The 

 old adage says, 



A swarm in May, is worth a load of hay ; 

 A swarm in .June, is Avorth a silver spoon; 

 A swarm la Julyt is no*' worth a fly." 



