BEE-KEEPER'S CALENDAR. 363 



board should be again attended to, as soon as the bees 

 are actively on the wing, and, if any hives are suspiciously 

 light, sugar-candy (p. 272) should be given them. Strong 

 colonies will now begin to breed considerably, but nothing 

 should be done to excite them to premature activity. 

 See that the bees are supplied with water (p. 344) . 



MARCH. In our Northern States, the inhospitable 

 reign of Winter still continues, and the directions given 

 for the two previous months are applicable to this. If 

 there should be a pleasant day, when bees are able to fly 

 briskly, seize the opportunity to remove the covers 

 (p. 361) ; carefully clean out the hives (p. 221), and learn 

 the exact condition of every colony. See that your bees 

 have water (p. 344), and are well supplied with rye-flour 

 (p. 84). In this month, weak stocks commonly begin to 

 breed, while strong ones increase quite rapidly. If the 

 weather is favorable, colonies which have been kept in a 

 special Winter depository, may now be put upon their 

 proper stands (p. 3 6 1 ) . As soon as severe Winter weather 

 is over, it will be necessary to shut off all upward ventila- 

 tion. 



APRIL. Bees will ordinarily begin to gather much 

 pollen in this month, and sometimes considerable honey. 

 As brood is now very rapidly maturing, there is a largely 

 increased demand for honey, and great care should be 

 taken to prevent the bees from suffering for want of 

 food. If the supplies are at all deficient, breeding will be 

 checked, even if much of the brood does not perish, or the 

 whole colony die of starvation. If the weather is pro- 

 pitious, feeding to promote a more rapid increase of young 

 (p. 268) may now be commenced. Feeble colonies must 

 now be reinforced (p. 221), and should the weather con- 

 tinue cold for several days at a time, the bees ought to 

 be supplied with water (p. 344) in their hives. In April, 



