BEEKEEPING IN TASMANIA. 5 
should be transferred to a full-sized hive, and the hive filled up with full combs if on 
hand, full sheets of foundation, or even starters of comb-foundation. Full sheets 
are best if full combs are not available. These nuclei may! often be purchased at a 
much smaller price than full colonies, and if obtained early in the season and under 
favourable conditions, they may be built up to full colony strength’ and have the 
advantage that usually no swarming will trouble the owner that season. The first 
cost of hives, comb-foundation, &c., will often seem high to a beginner, but it should 
be remembered that if properly looked after both hives and combs will last many 
years, and it would be wisdom for any beginner to start with a standard make of hive 
and good combs. Some may think they can save money by making their own hives, 
but when the cost of timber and time taken in the making, and the fact that not 
many can make up such materials as exact as is necessary, is realised, it will be 
found that machine-made hives are much the best. Whatever style of hive is used, 
whether home-made or of standard make, it is strongly recommended to have the 
frames for combs of one ‘size. Hoffman or any full-depth frame. should always 
be wired, as without wires new combs are apt to break out in handling, or melt down 
in very hot weather, especially so if thin material is used in making up the hive. 
Shallow frames in supers need not be wired. Bees may be transferred from box 
hives to frame hives. A full description of the method, though rather lengthy for 
an’ article of this nature, can be given, as also how to induce bees to transfer them- 
selves. 
Spring ManaGemMentT or Bess. 
During the early part of September, in most districts, all hives should be 
examined for the purpose of ascertaining if each one has sufficient food, a laying © 
queen, and bees enough to work up to a full colony later on. ‘ This examination 
should take place only on, fine mild days, otherwise harm may be done to weak stocks 
by letting the warmth of the hive escape, and causing the bees to fly and become 
chilled. The smoker should be in good working order, and a whiff or two of smoke 
blown in at the entrance. Remove the cover of the hive at one end and blow a few 
puffs of smoke over the tops of the frames. If a mat is. used between the top of 
frames and the cover the hives may be opened. with less disturbance, less smoke is 
needed, and. in consequence the queen may be, and mostly is, much easier to find. 
The first consideration at this time is the amount of stores on hand. No hard and 
fast. rule as to the amount or weight of honey required to maintain and develop the 
colony can be given. The quantity depends on the number of bees in the hive, the 
length of time which will usually elapse before a new supply of honey may reason- 
ably be expected, and the weather conditions prevailing normally during the five 
or six weeks following. There should, however, not be less than 6 or 8 lb. of honey 
at this time (say, about two fairly well filled combs of full size) as the consump- 
tion of stores greatly increases as the spring advances and brood-rearing develops. 
Any shortage of food should be made good by feeding, either with combs of honey, 
free from disease, held over for that purpose, or with sugar syrup. If feeding is 
found necessary, and sugar syrup is to be fed and no suitable feeders are on hand, a 
good idea is to use empty combs. 
These may be filled by placing the comb flat in a milk-dish or other suitable vessel, 
and pouring the syrup into the cells from a height of about 15 inches. To get a 
fine stream of liquid a large teapot or a jug with a pointed spout is a good thin 
to use. When the comb has been filled on one side, turn it over and fill the other 
side in the same way. The combs should be suspended: over the dish for a little while 
to allow the surplus syrup to drain off. If this is not done the syrup dropping about 
or on the floor of the hive may attract robbers. 
Feeding in this way ig always best carried out in the evening, as any feed that 
may drop into the hive ig usually taken care of before morning. To make the syTup 
