142 MONTHLY DUTIES. 



to thus equalize, do it the last of October or the 

 first of November. 



OCTOBER. 



At the commencement of this month, continue to 

 feed such stocks, if any, as are short of honey, yet 

 are supplied with a good amount of comb in which 

 to store honey. As the yield of honey from flowers 

 closes this month, at its end remove all boxes from 

 the hives. Such as are partially filled with comb 

 or honey may be set in a cold, dry place, and remain 

 for use another year. If placed where they will 

 freeze, and then sealed up carefully, so the moth 

 miller cannot get in, they will be in good condition 

 when wanted next season. Boxes that have comb 

 about a third full or even less, are finished very 

 quickly by the bees. Be sure to keep all such boxes 

 for the next season. You probably have a few 

 queens in your ininiature hives. Look over your 

 stocks, and if any are found queenless, or with dis- 

 eased queens, give them a new and prolific one. 



NOVEMBER. 



The first ot November, if not already done, ex- 

 change comb frames, from stocks deficient in stores 

 to winter, with such as can spare a frame of honey. 

 Do this until all have stores sufficent for winter. 

 Twenty pounds of honey will render them safe 

 until, you begin to feed in the spring. From the 

 middle to the last of November is usually the time 

 to prepare the hives for winter, by packing with 

 hay or straw, as directed in another place. This 

 should not be done until a few days before steady 



