HINTS ON GENERAL MANAGEMENT 123 



by an assistant (carefully collecting and burning all the 

 sweepings), and the brood-chamber replaced. 



All hives not in use should be carefully scrubbed out 

 in every part with a weak solution of carbolic acid and 

 stored ready for swarms, should such unfortunately 

 issue. 



Have all supers in readiness for the first honey flow. 

 Time is precious when honey really begins to come in 

 in earnest. 



The Summer. — The details of summer management 

 will be mostly found fully described in the body of this 

 book under the heading of surplus honey. When, 

 towards the end of the summer, honey is becoming 

 scarce, keep a sharp look-out to prevent robbing. Start 

 slow feeding, with the object of keeping up breeding 

 as long as possible. The autumn-raised bees will prove 

 most useful in carrying the stock through the winter. 



In the middle of September, commence to feed up all 

 stocks with less than 20 lbs. of sealed stores by means 

 of the rapid feeder, and before finally packing down for 

 the winter, replace the quilt next the frames with a 

 clean one, having previously cleaned the top bars as 

 much as possible from adhering propolis. 



Don't forget to provide winter passage-ways across 

 the tops of the frames. 



Should the hives be at all likely to experience the full 

 force of the winter gales, large stones or bricks should 

 be placed on the roofs, to prevent them being blown 

 over. 



The combs in the brood-nest should be renewed 

 about every third year. Use a full sheet of foundation 

 and a new frame and ends. The old comb can go in 

 the wax smelter, but the old frame should be burnt at 

 once. Take care to replace only one or two of the 

 combs at a time : those in the centre of the brood-nest 

 will be found to age the soonest, whilst the outside 



