No. 4.] ESSENTIALS OF BEEKEEPING. 163 



colonies having none. These may then be set upon strong colonies, 

 in each case using a perforated zinc between the upper and lower 

 hive, as before. 



Alexander's caution is : " In every case where the method is re- 

 ported a failure it has been from one of two causes, — either lack 

 of brood in the weak colonj'-, in order to hold the queen and her 

 few bees in the upper hive, or smoking the strong colony so that, 

 as soon as the weak one was set on top, the bees rush from below 

 and sting every one above. Therefore, avoid using smoke or doing 

 anything to excite the strong colony." The whole should be done 

 so that neither colony realizes that it has been disturbed. In about 

 thirty days each hive will be crowded with bees and maturing brood. 

 Then, when you wish to separate them, set the strongest colony on 

 the new stand. 



A further spring duty is to clean up the apiary. As is explained 

 under " Hygiene of the Apiary," on the first day that bees fly 

 examine each hive and determine whether it contains a living colony. 

 Immediately, close bee-tight any hive in which the colony has died; 

 furthermore, remove the hives and contents to a bee-tight building. 

 This is not only a wholesome practice to pi'event robbing, but it is 

 vital in order to check the spread of diseases. For a similar reason 

 beekeepers are warned against exposing any comh, honey or section 

 so that the " bees may clean it up," as is so thoughtlessly done. 



Contraction of the entrance is a matter of judgment. As a general 

 rule, never give more entrance than can be guarded by the bees 

 within; this is especially applicable in spring and fall. Entrance 

 contraction as is erroneously and frequently thought, is not of so 

 much importance in controlling ventilation as in reducing or pre- 

 venting robbing. 



Weak colonies benefit in the early spring by being outwardly pro- 

 tected. Outside cases of wood or paper coverings, used as winter 

 protection, are of much service in early spring, when a high tempera- 

 ture must be maintained for bi'ood rearing.. 



Feeding. 

 Usually, bees can exist without being fed extra stores. • There are 

 advantages, however, in judicious feeding. This may be accom- 

 plished in different ways and for different purposes. At present, 

 as a general rule, it is not safe to feed honey, there being too grave 

 danger of transmitting brood disease by it. On the whole, sugar 

 is not only safer and more preferable but cheaper. When necessary, 

 honey may be diluted with an equal amount of water, boiled one 

 hour in a covered vessel and fed. 



