i88 THE APIARY. 



mongers as "eyes"), could be screwed into the floor- 

 boards, to which the attachments might be made fast. It 

 will scarcely be necessary to hint that great care is 

 necessary that full provision should be made securely to 

 support the increasing weight; a fall would be most 

 ruinous, and terribly enrage the bees. 



The weight of the hive should be marked on it when 

 empty, so that the exact amount of its contents may at 

 any time be ascertained. A colony of bees at Michael- 

 mas ought to weigh from 20 to 24 lbs,, that is, exclusive 

 of the hive ; if falling short of that weight, the hive 

 should be made up to it by the artificial means before 

 recommended. 



Experienced apiarians are able to judge of the weight 

 of a hive by lifting it a few inches from the stand ; or 

 by looking in at the windows of a stock-hive, a conclu- 

 sive opinion may be formed as to the state of the colony. 

 If the combs within view be well filled and sealed, it will 

 be safe to consider that the hive contains sufficient stores 

 to carry the bees through the winter. 



