364 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



if not before, the larvse of the bee-moth will begin to make 

 their appearance, and should be carefully destroyed 

 (p. 248). 



MAY. As the weather becomes more genial, the 

 increase of bees in the colonies is exceedingly rapid, and 

 drones, if they have not previously made their appearance, 

 begin to issue from the hives. In some locations, the bees 

 will now gather much honey, and it will often be advisa- 

 ble to give them access to the spare honey receptacles ;* 

 but in some seasons and locations, either from long and 

 cold storms, or a deficiency of forage, stocks not well sup- 

 plied with honey will exhaust their stores, and perish, 

 unless they are fed. In favorable seasons, swarms may be 

 expected in this month, even in the Northern States. 

 These May swarms often issue near the close of the blos- 

 soming of fruit-trees, and just before the later supplies of 

 forage, and if the weather becomes suddenly unfavorable, 

 may starve, unless they are fed. Even if there is no dan- 

 ger of this, they will make so little progress in comb- 

 building and breeding, when food is scarce, as to be sur- 

 passed by much later swarms. The Apiarian should have 

 hives in readiness to receive new swarms, however early 

 they may issue, or be formed. If new colonies are to be 

 made by artificial processes, a seasonable supply of 

 queens (p. 188) should be reared. 



JUNE. This is the great swarming month in all our 

 Northern and Middle States. As bees keep up a high 

 temperature in their hives, they are by no means so de- 

 pendent upon the weather for forwardness, as plants, and 

 as most other insects necessarily are. I have had as early 

 swarms in Northern Massachusetts, as in* the vicinity of 

 Philadelphia. 



* If natural swarms are wanted, the bees should not be allowed to occupy too 

 much surplus storage-room. 



