WORKING FOR COMB-HONEY 



101 



of the eolouies show a disposition to cluster on the hive 

 front. As the day progresses there will be more bees 

 hanging on the outside than there are inside (Fig. 50). 

 Old-time bee-keepers looked upon this as an infallible 

 sign of swarming; it is now recognised as a sym])tom 

 of insufficient ventilation. Bees do not hang outside 

 during chilly weather. When the safety of the brood 

 and the stability of the combs are jeopardised, instinct 



Fig. 50. Bees hanging ont in liot weather. 



warns the bees to seek a cooler spot. It has been the 

 author's experience year after year that want of cool, 

 fresh air is the primary cause of bees hanging out. 



If, during tlie summer months, some l)ees should 

 attempt to cluster outside, raise the lid perhaps an inch 

 at the back. Ninety-nine times this is sufficient; if the 

 hundredth time it is unsuccessful, raise the body from 

 the bottom-l:)oard with two 1 inch ]iine blocks. This 

 gets over the difficulty cheaply and effectively. 



The disposition of comics in the super has some 

 influence. The autlior has always a]iproved of super 

 combs crossing those of the brood-chamber at right 

 angles ; this plan is much favoured in Great Britain. 

 To do this conveniently the hives should be square, l)ut 



