CHAPTER XVII 



PREPARATIONS FOR WINTER 



After the honey flow has ceased, and all supers have 

 been removed, the queen excluder may be dispensed 

 with. As it is generally found firmly propolised to the 

 top bars of the frames, its removal without infuriating 

 the bees seems almost impossible. But if the excluder is 

 used without being mounted in a frame, its removal is 

 not difficult. Procure a piece of calico l8 inches square, 

 and moisten it with a solution of one part Calvert's 

 No. 5 carbolic in two parts of water, taking care to 

 keep the acid from contact with the skin. This thrown 

 over the frames is an effectual quietener of bees, and was 

 used by its inventor, the late Rev. G. Raynor, in lieu of 

 the smoker in all manipulations ; but it is especially 

 adapted to the removal of a firmly propolised excluder 

 zinc. It not only mechanically prevents the bees boiling 

 up, but the odour of the acid drives them downwards, 

 and it leaves both hands at liberty. Armed, then, with 

 the carbolic cloth and a long-bladed knife, proceed as 

 follows : Remove all quilts, and replace with the carbolic 

 cloth. Lift up one corner of the- excluder and insert the 

 knife, forcing it along the top of each frame, at the same 

 time gently peeling away the zinc. Having removed 

 the excluder, take the opportunity of cleaning the top 

 bars as much as possible. The old propolised quilt 

 should be burnt, and a clean one (with a feed-hole) put 

 in its place. 



Breeding should be kept up by gentle, stimulative 



