104 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



Bee-Keepers who have but few colonies, and who wish to 

 secure the largest yield, may remove the loaded combs 

 from my hive, slice off the covers of the cells, drain out the 

 honey, and restore the empty combs, into which, if the sea- 

 son of gathering is over, they can first pour the cheap for- 

 eign honey for the use of the bees. 



34. It should allow, when quantity not quality is the ob- 

 ject, the largest amount of honey to be gathered ; so that the 

 surplus of strong colonies may, in the Fall, be given to those 

 which have not a sufficient supply. 



By surmounting my hive with a box of the same dimen- 

 sions, the combs may all be transferred to this box, and the 

 bees, when they commence building, will descend and fill 

 the lower frames, gradually using the upper box, as the 

 brood is hatched out, for storing honey. In this way, the 

 largest possible yield of honey may be secured, as the bees 

 always prefer to continue their work below, rather than 

 above the main hive, and will never swarm, when allowed 

 in season, ample room in this direction. The combs in the 

 upper box, containing a large amount of bee-bread and 

 being of a size adapted to the breeding of workers, will be 

 all the better for aiding weak colonies. 



35. It should compel, when desired, the force of the 

 colony to be mainly directed to raisfng young bees ; so that 

 brood may be on hand to form new colonies, and strengthen 

 feeble stocks. (See Chapter on Artificial Swarming.) 



36. It ought, while well protected from the weather, to 

 be so constructed, that in warm, sunny days in early spring, 

 the influence of the sun may be allowed to penetrate and 

 warm up the hive, so as to encourage early breeding. (See 

 Chapter on Protection.) 



37. The hive should be equally well adapted to be used 

 as a swarmer, or non-swarmer. 



