THE beekeepers' DIRECTORY. 87 



Strength are disposed either to swarm or to go to work outside 

 of the brood-clusters, and nothing is ever gained by putting on 

 sections before they reach that point. No matter if they do fill 

 up the cells from which bees are hatching to some extent. When 

 they do go above, the younger bees, which do the work in the sec- 

 tions, wiU empty these ceHs, which are not apt to be sealed, and 

 carry the honey up with them. In my climate I find it impossi- 

 ble to get all stocks up to the proper pitch of strength by June 

 5, but one after another the most of them reach it during the 

 next ten days. I have never known a colony, except a new 

 swarm, to be ready to go above until the bees go to clustering 

 out in front in the heat of the day and not always then. But 

 if you begin with those that come out the heaviest and examine 

 them^ we can tell if they are approaching near to the point of 

 readiness. If there is newly sealed honey along the top-bars, and 

 considerable fresh white brace-comb above them, put on the 

 sections. They are never ready before these signs appear and ' 

 quite extensively too. 



Whether new swarms are hived in full or contracted brood- 

 chambers, on combs, foundation or empty frames, I strongly ad- 

 vise putting on surplus arrangements at the start. They will 

 work above and below at the same time and will build less drone- 

 comb below, and the apiarist will get more honey. In case a 

 full brood-chamber is used, a queen-excluder may not be needed ; 

 but not having tried it I cannot speak positively on that point. 



When to remove sections. 



As soon as they are finished. It may be better to have the 

 row of cells around the edge of the section sealed over, but it is 

 by no means necessary. 



When wide frames are used and empty ones are added to the 

 sides, as the bees want room, those inside may be finished more 

 thoroughly without becoming more noticeably travel-stained. 

 The same might be said of the middle sections of the upper 

 super when tierin^-up is practised. But bees are slow to seal 

 up these outside cells, and I think it better not to wait for this. 

 Whatever you do, remove your section honey while yet in its vir- 

 gin whiteness. I want to emphasize that thought emphatically, 

 if you please. I know it is argued that honey improves in fla- 

 vor when left on some time to be ripened by the bees ; but I 

 have proven the contrary to my satisfaction as I will show far- 



