86 SOUTHERN BEE CULTURE 



attention to keep them from running short of stores, or to keep the bee- 

 moth out of them or keep them from dwindling out. 



There are two ways of getting rid of these weaker colonies. One way 

 is to unite two or more of them together and make strong colonies of them ; 

 and the other way is to build them up to full colonies from the strongest 

 ones. 



The question now is, "Does it pay to remove some sealed brood from 

 the strongest colonies, thereby weakening them, and give it to the weaker ones 

 to build them up?" Yes, and no, if it can be done long enough before the 

 approaching honey-flow, and the bees given constant and proper attention. A 

 populous or strong colony has a prolific queen and plenty of bees to nourish 

 her brood ; and if an empty clean comb is set in the middle of the brood-nest 

 it will soon be full of eggs and brood, and the colony will get over its loss of 

 a frame of brood if the honey-flow is not too nearly on them ; but if it begins 

 in less than three or four weeks it would be best to leave the brood with them, 

 for the weak colony would just about get built up ready for honey-gather- 

 ing at the close of the flow; but if the work was done in time it would be 

 ready for the flow, and the other colony would be over its loss. All colonies 

 thus treated should be stimulated by feeding them a little. If the weak 

 colonies are very weak they could not be built up in this way in early spring, 

 tor the weather would not be favorable, and it would be better to unite them. 



During summer, when bees are living in a hand-to-mouth manner, or a 

 very light honey-flow is on, it is a good time to build up colonies. 



HONEY-HOUSES. 



Every progressive apiary should have a honey-house conveniently located 

 in or about it so that it will be as convenient to carry the honey in as pos- 

 sible, and to get to with a wagon to haul it away. Honey should not be 

 kept or stored in our dwelling-houses, for several reasons. It will draw 

 the ants and bees into the house, and soil the floor should any drip on it 

 or be accidentally dropped on it. And propolis, or bee-glue, and particles of 

 comb will get mashed on it, and be hard to remove ; and, in fact it is too 

 messy to have about dwelling-houses. It is not a good idea to keep bee- 

 veils, smokers, hive-tools, and all kinds of bee-supplies about the dwellings 

 or premises, for they are likely to get misplaced or be in the way. So 

 there can be no question that every bee-keeper needs and shotild have a 

 honey-house to keep all his apiarian supplies and honey in, only as they are 

 used. 



Honey-houses are variously constructed, and of different sizes to 

 suit the needs of apiaries, and for the convenience of the bee-keeper; so 

 each bee-keeper can best plan and build his own honey-house. 



But perhaps a few suggestions will not be out of place. If a bee- 

 keeper operates only one small home apiary, and does not care to keep any 



