436 Work from April to July, 



onies that are uneasy and besmear their hives are not win- 

 tering well, and may be set out and allowed a good flight 

 and then returned. 



APRIL, 



Early in this month the bees may all be set out. It will 

 be best to feed all, and give all access to flour, when they 

 will work at it, though usually they can get pollen as soon 

 as they can fly out to advantage. Keep the brood chamber 

 contracted so that the frames will all be covered, and cover 

 well above the bees to economize heat. 



The colony or colonies from which we desire to rear 

 queens and drones should now be fed, to stimulate breeding. 

 By careful pruning, too, we may and should prevent the 

 rearing of drones in any but the best colonies. If from 

 lack of care the previous autumn, any of our stocks are 

 short of stores, now is when it will be felt. In such cases 

 feed either honey, sugar, or syrup, or place candy on top 

 of the frames beneath the oil-cloth cover. Remember that 

 plenty of stores insures rapid breeding. 



MAY. 



Prepare nuclei to start extra queens. Feed sparingly 

 till bloom appears. Give room for storing. Extract if 

 necessary, and keep close watch, that you may anticipate 

 and forestall any attempt to swarm. Now, too, is the best 

 time to transfer. 



JUNE. 



Keep all colonies supplied with vigorous, prolific queens. 

 Divide the colonies as may be desired. Extract if necessary, 

 or best, adjust frames or sections, if comb honey is desired, 

 and be sure to keep all the white clover honey, in whatever 

 form taken, separate from all other. Now is the best time 

 to Italianize. 



JULY. 



The work this month is about the same as that of June. 

 Keep the basswood honey by itself, and tier up sections as 

 soon as the bees are well at work in them. Be sure that 



