ALEXANDER’S WRITINGS ON PRACTICAL BEE CULTURE 13 
we had little more to do. We always prepare our bees for winter during 
July and August, so our summer’s work was finished until we put them 
into the cellar. 
I might continue to write page after page, citing cases where the 
weather has nearly all to do with our securing a surplus, but I don’t 
think it necessary. The one principal requirement in securing a nice 
surplus is, as I have stated, the season; but this, being far beyond man’s 
control, will always make the production of honey a somewhat uncertain 
business. The bloom of 60 acres of buckwheat added to what other 
honey-producing plants which would blossom at the same time, would 
undoubtedly help 100 colonies very much to fill up their hives for win- 
ter and give some surplus. I should consider it quite a help to an other- 
wise fair location; but I can not see how we can ever ascertain any thing 
like a correct knowledge of what our harvest will be, or the number of 
colonies that will overstock a location. My advice is, don’t make any 
debts expecting to pay them from your future crop of clover, basswood, 
or buckwheat honey; for if you do there are many chances that you 
may be badly disappointed. 
March, 1907. 
A FEW THINGS NOT TO DO IN BEE-KEEPING. 
INVENTING HIVES. 
First, don’t spend either time nor money in trying to construct a 
new form of hive—not but that there are some serious faults in nearly 
all of our standard hives, but let the experienced bee-keeper remedy 
those faults. 
MANAGEMENT OF WEAK COLONIES; HOW TO PREVENT ROBBING. 
Don’t allow your bees to acquire the habit of robbing. Hundreds of 
weak colonies are lost annually by this provoking habit which is fre- 
quently caused by the neglect of their owner. One of the worst features 
of taking our bees from their winter quarters, a few at a time, is that it 
almost invariably starts robbing. The colonies that are taken out first, 
and have had their cleansing flight, being well located are in prime con- 
dition to attack every colony that is taken out later, and before they 
become located the bees from those that were taken out first have full 
swing at their less fortunate neighbors. In order to prevent this costly 
and unpleasant state of things, where you have to set out your bees at 
different times, first contract the entrance of every colony; then as soon 
as you find a colony that is being robbed, even though it is only just 
started, close it up and keep it so for several days; then if they have 
any brood, set them on top of a strong colony with a queen-excluder be- 
tween. If they have no brood, and still have a queen, give them a comb 
containing brood from some other colony. 
In putting two colonies together in this way don’t disturb either of 
them any more than you can help, especially the stronger one. If you 
