9ns 



*" THE I'ilACTICAL liEli GUIDE. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

 WORK FOR THE MONTH. 



381. January. — Towards the end of the month, if stores are 

 required, give a cake of flour candy (324) under the quilts. 

 Disturb the bees as little as possible. Examine under the roofs 

 for damp, and make repairs where necessary. Remove dead 

 bees from entrances (379). Attend to instructions under the 

 head of " Wintering " (375). 



382. February. — Feed with flour candy (324) where necessary. 

 Remove dead bees from entrances (379). Replace damp quilts 

 by dry ones. Tidy up the apiary. Overhaul hives not in use; 

 and clean and disinfect them (355). 



383. March — Feed with flour candy where necessary (324). 

 In a case of impending starvation, give a quart or two of thick, 

 warm syrup (Recipe 322) as fast as the bees will take it. Supply 

 artificial pollen (192) and water (319). Uncap some honey in 

 combs, every few days ; and, about the end of the month, begin 

 stimulative feeding (313). Reduce entrances to one bee space 

 as a protection against robbing (310). Unite queenless stocks 

 to others having queens (247). Keep a look out for signs of 

 disease (327). Order sections, foundation, hives, and other 

 appliances for the coming season. Prepare sections (257) and 

 wired frames (261). Have all vacant hives cleaned and ready 

 for " spring cleaning " next month (252). Sow seeds of bee 

 flowers (Chapter XXXIV.). 



384. April. — Attend to spring cleaning, transferring stocks 

 to clean hives (252). Add warm, dry wraps where required. 

 Keep a look out daily for robbing (307). Examine all stocks 

 for signs of queenlessness (283) and disease (327). Begin to 

 build up stocks, so that they may be at full strength not later 

 than June ist (311). Unite weak stocks, saving the better 

 queen (246). Continue stimulative feeding (313). Spread 

 brood, using all the precautions recommended (193). During 

 manipulations, guard against robbing (308) and chilled brood 

 (338). Fix foundation in sections (258) and frames (263). 

 Prepare for queen rearing (286). Destroy queen wasps where 

 found (373). 



385. May. — Continue stimulative feeding (313). Spread the 

 brood (193). Supply water if required (319). Open doors to 

 full width when honey comes in plentifully and danger of 



