62 PRACTICAL UEE-KEBPINO. 



bees were carrying home flour whioh they had stolen from a neigh- 

 bouring mill. He profited by the hint, and quickly gave the 

 aubatanoe close at hand, with results highly satisfactory. And 

 lack ot wholesome pollen possibly often retards spring breeding, 

 especially where sugar is being given, for do we not frequently find 

 that the pollen of the autumn in the central combs has desiccated so as 

 to be useless, while that of the outside ones has mildewed ? One of the 

 signs of returning activity will be the removal of the first-mentioned 

 indurated masses which the bees, with their admirable perseverance, tug 

 at and tease until they accomplish their dislodgement. The substitute 

 for pollen usually given in America is unbolted rye flour. We have used 

 pea flour with the greatest success. This substance is highly nitrogenous, 

 and contains albuminoid compounds in considerable amount, and in this 

 particular closely resembles natural pollen, and is capable consequently 

 of being converted into animal tissue. Place the pea flour in trays 

 covered from the rain, and sprinkle so well with chaff as nearly to cover 

 it from view. The bees may be allured to it by a piece of old newly 

 burnt comb ; but ours want no invitation, rolling in it by thousands, 

 and consume, when supplied, many pounds daily. When natural supplies 

 axe abundant the substitute is disregarded. 



UmiUng. — It is a cardinal rule in beekeeping, that stocks should be 

 kept strong. Weak lots require much attention, tor which they rarely 

 , pay in results. The nursing of weaklings seems to have a peculiar 

 fascination for some, but in almost every case "le jeu ne vaut pas la 

 ohandelle." In the early spring, if we find two weak stocks, one 

 queenless perhaps, and we determine to unite them, we get them side by 

 side by moving each about a yard daily. If they are in skeps sprinkle 

 both well with weak syrup, scented with peppermint, smoke slightly the 

 one to be driven, and more the one to receive the driven swarm. Wait 

 ten or fifteen minutes before driving. Place the skep to be strengthened 

 upon a large board (see Fig. 32) or a sheet ; throw the forced swarm 

 upon it ; once more sprinkling gently, when the bees will be well received. 

 Let this stock stand between the positions occupied by the two united. 

 If the given bees have a queen, known to be old, remove her. For frame 

 hives with interchangeable frames it is only necessary after smoking and 

 sprinkling to take out vacant frames so as to give place to all those 

 containing brood or carrying bees in the one hive ; removing as before 

 the queen least valued. If inconvenient to previously place the hives 

 side by side as recommended above, the bees may be made to 

 remain in their new station thus : Close* the hive during the two days 

 succeeding the marriage, giving ample ventilation, and allow the bees to 

 take a fly late in the afternoon by opening the hive before sunset 



* Closed hives should have thin syrup given to them. 



