266 DR. miller's 



a time nf full flow, and strengthening of weak colonies generally 

 occurs before the heavy flow, or after it. 



Q. What do you think of Mr. Alexander's spring management 

 of weak colonies? What would you advise me to do to save the 

 weak colonies in the spring? 



A. Some of the things Mr. Alexander favored, it would be wild 

 for others to follow, such as keeping so many colonies in one 

 apiary, his special conditions favoring that; but as to the matter 

 of weak colonies in spring, he has done the fraternity a real ser- 

 vice. Care, however, must be taken. The first time I tried it the 

 strong colony was at work inside of ten minutes fighting the weak 

 one, and didn't stop till it made a finish. The colonies must be 

 gently handled, so there will be no getting together till the upper 

 colony has had time to get the scent of the lower, or else a wire- 

 cloth must separate them for two or three days. 



Weight of Bees. — Q. How many bees in a pound? 

 A. A pound of bees may contain from 4,000 to 5,500. 



Q. How much is the dovetailed hive, honey, comb, bees, etc., 

 supposed to weigh just before putting them into the cellar? 



A. I want my 8-frame hives to weigh at least 50 pounds. Ten- 

 frame hives ought to weigh ten pounds more. 



Willow-Herb. — Q. Is the willow-herb a cultivated plant, and 

 would it pay to plant it for bees in Illinois? 



A. W illow-herb is a wild plant found especially abundant in 

 the burnt-over timber lands of the northern states. It is found 

 in large quantities in Michigan and neighboring states, where it 

 yields a very light honey. The honey is said to have a very fine 

 fiaviir. Willow-herb is also known as fireweed. 



Wind-Break. — Q. I have no wind-break or shade at home. 

 Would it pa^' me to move my apiary 60 rods from home and 

 have both? 



A. It depends a little upon how much you care yourself for 

 shade to work in, and how much, also, for the inconvenience of 

 having them so much fartlier away. If you winter your bees in 

 the cellar it would make no difierence in wintering. It's a toss up 

 which way yju dcciile. Shade may be supplied by individual 

 roofs on the hives. 



Winter-Cases. — (J. With a regular brood-chamber and a win- 

 ter-case made of seven-eighths inch lumber, is IV, inches on sides 

 and ends and 8 inches un top, enough for safe wintering? 



A. Likely it will answer, although a greater space between 



