164 PERIODS OF DEPRIVATION. 



Lest coop'd within their walls, the truants prey 

 On hoards reserv'd to cheer stern Winter's day." 



EVANS. 



MR. Hu BEARD says that he has found colonized 

 bees frequently fail, in consequence of their having 

 been robbed of too much honey ; it prevents early 

 breeding. WILDMAN particularly recommends 

 cautious deprivation after July, to avoid the at- 

 tention which might be required in feeding, if 

 the autumn should be unfavourable. 



So much for the first and second years. On 

 the third, if the summer of that year as well as 

 the summer preceding have been favourable for 

 honey-gathering, the superior box will probably 

 contain no brood, and may then be taken all at 

 once. 



The proceedings of the fourth and fifth years 

 may fall under the practice of the second, but will 

 probably allow of an earlier deprivation ; some 

 side combs may perhaps be taken away in July, 

 and in October either the nadir or the centre box 

 be removed entirely, and those above (if more 

 than one) be brought down, and remain so till 

 April ; when the nadir may be introduced again. 



No hive or box should have its breeding combs 

 left more than Jive years; and in general, after the 

 first year, the lower boxes will be found to be 

 principally occupied for this purpose. 



By this practice for four years out of every 



