124 THE BOOK OF THE HONEY BEE 



combs may not require replacing for many years. The 

 methodical beekeeper will mark the date of each comb 

 on the projecting lug of the top bar. 



Apply to the leading bee-appliance manufacturers for 

 copies of their catalogues. They will be found to be 

 profusely illustrated, and many of them contain capital 

 hints on bee management, together with a calendar of 

 operations. An occasional order (either direct or through 

 their agents) for foundation, sections, etc., will suggest 

 itself to the conscientious recipient. 



Take care to order all goods required for the forth- 

 coming season as early as possible, so as to ensure prompt 

 delivery. Some dealers offer a special discount on all 

 goods ordered before a certain date, usually about the 

 middle of March. 



A card should be nailed in the roof of each hive, or a 

 slate may be conveniently kept (in the case of the 

 W.B.C. hive) in the space between the hive proper and 

 the outer case, upon which can be jotted down notes 

 relative to the condition of each colony. The systematic 

 posting of these notes in a note-book much simplifies 

 bee-work, especially if a large number of stocks are 

 kept. 



