166 THE BEEKEEPERS' REVIEW 



board frame, or hive rest, about four inches larger every way than 

 a bottom board; this we made to revolve about a pin of wood set 

 into the middle of the under side, this pin entering a one inch augur 

 hole in floor. Under the board we set three old castors, and it is 

 done. We nailed two strips of i^-inch thickness inside the hive 

 body that we set on the board ; this to keep the hives from sliding 

 off, when the table is revolved. We pile up the bodies four or five or 

 six high, and get even. Then we begin at the top and paint down. 

 One does not have to keep moving paint bucket, nor is one in danger 

 of upsetting paint, etc., by squirming about from one side of the 

 pile of hives to another. And, best of all, one can pile the hives 

 up in piles close together and not have to allow room to pass be- 

 tween the tiers of hives ; this device allows one to paint in cramped 

 or close quarters, economizing room. Try it, you who have two or 

 three dozen, (or hundred) hives to paint, and see if it does not pay 

 for its labor in making, many times over. — E. G. B. 



Orange Bloom This Year 



At this writing, March 31st, we are in the midst of the orange 

 bloom. But the prospects are nowhere as good as they should be. 

 The weather all through January, February, and first half of 

 March was cold, rainy and dismal. Brood rearing went on under 

 difficulties, and when orange did open, later by two weeks than 

 usual, the inclemency of weather prevented bees flying more than 

 a few hours in the middle of the day ; and the nights were almost 

 cold. In fact, about middle of March we had two nights of heavy 

 frost, even ice forming in low spots. As a result the bloom was re- 

 tarded, and slowed up on nectar secretion. Since then, while con- 

 ditions so far as weather have improved somewhat, still it is too 

 cool for best showing. Today it has turned cool again, and bees 

 did not gather more than enough to feed the brood in the hive. 

 We have had that hive on the scales, as usual, and that shows con- 

 ditions without any guessing. It is my best colony, and for the 

 first two weeks showed from no gain, daily, to an average of two 

 or three pounds. That is about one-fourtti what it ought to be. 

 Day before yesterday, March 29, the greatest gain thus far was 

 recorded: 7 pounds were stored that day, and 6 pounds the next 

 day, March 30. If this weather continues, I fear our honey crop 

 here will be like the Irishman's pig; he fed it one day and then 

 starved it a day, in order to have a streak of fat and a streak of 

 lean ! We can also detect the difference in yield of nectar this year 

 over last, when we pass a grove. Then we could scent the odor far 



