80 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



than tlie teaching of books and periodicals ; and we fancy 

 that example, even in bee-keeping, is better than precept. 

 When we resolved to write a book on bees for publication, 

 we sent the following three questions to bee-keepers in 

 many counties : — 



I. What is the general size of hives used in your 

 county ? II. What time does swarming commence 1 

 III. In good seasons what weight are the first swarms 

 at harvest-time? 



Our correspondent near Norwich, in Norfolk, says : 

 "The hives used here are rather smaller than usual ; the 

 middle of May is a good time for early swarms ; and at 

 the end of the season a good stock may weigh only one 

 stone. This may surprise you, but some are not half that 

 weight." 



From Yorkshire, a gentleman at Hull answered the ques- 

 tions as follows : "The size of the hives used hereabouts 

 contain about 1300 cubic inches, and swarm about the first 

 week in June. As to the general weight, that depends on 

 the management of them. The most I have ever taken 

 from a swarm was 32 lb." 



From Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, we learn that 

 " the first week in June is the time of general swarming ; 

 the size of the hives about 12 inches deep and 12 inches 

 wide ; and the weight of swarms at the end of the season 

 depends on the summer. If not much rain to stop their 

 work, a good swarm ought to weigh 30 lb." 



Our informant in Cornwall (Lewanwick) says : " In 

 favourable and pleasant spots, bees begin to rise from the 

 16th to the 20th of May ; but the time of general swarm- 

 ing is the first and second week of June. The size of the 

 hives in use is, I think, about 14 inches diameter and 11 

 inches deep. The average weight in good seasons is about 

 28 lb., hive and combs together ; the heaviest I have ever 



