SPRING MANAGEMENT.—Chapter XIX. 
Otherwise, on the first 
warm day that the bees 
of the live colonies may 
be flying and seeking 
nectar, they will enter the 
hives of the dead colonies 
and begin robbing out 
any honey that may be 
found in the combs there. 
An uproar in the whole 
apiary will result; and 
not only will the hives of 
the dead colonies be rob- 
bed, but quite likely the 
weaker colonies of the 
apiary will also be set 
upon by the robbery-mad 
ees of the strong colo- 
nies, and, unless prevent- 
ed, will entirely destroy 
them. Such robbing, if 
permitted, is one of the 
surest ways of spreading 
any foul brood that may 
be lurking in one’s own 
This is a weak colony as shown by the few bees on Bplary, oP ath that of a 
the frame that the beekeeper is examining. neighboring aplary. 
Besides closing the en- 
trances of the hives of the dead colonies, if there be such, contract the 
entrances of the weak colonies. This is done to protect them against pos- 
sible robbing of their stores by the bees of stronger colonies. How much 
shall the entrances be contracted? If the colony has been reduced in 
strength to two or three frames of bees, contract to 34 x %% of an inch, so 
long as danger of robbing continues. But just as soon as the bees begin 
gathering pollen or nectar, and warm weather prevails, the danger of rob- 
bing will pass, and the entrance may be en-_ 
larged to suit the needs of the bees. 
When the Hive May Be Safely Opened. | 
The hives should not be opened except dur- 
ing a warm day (not less than 60 degrees 
Fahrenheit) when the bees can fly. If opened | 
on a chilly day, not only will the bees be 
found to be cross, but there will be danger | 
of chilling the brood and perhaps getting the’ 
queen balled. The middle of the day (when —_ = 
warmest) should be selected as the time for Here is another weak colony. the 
; : : entrance of whose hive should be 
looking into the hive. contracted in the early spring. 
110 
