folding back this covering to expose further combs, it should be kept 

 weighted by the hive tool or smoker to prevent gusts of wind whipping 

 it off and thus suddenly exposing many combs of bees. This work 

 is greatly facilitated by using the manipulating cloths described 

 later. When working with a single-walled or National hive, stand 

 with your back to the wind, so as to give the bees as much protection 

 as possible. 



Apart from the weather there are other occasions during which 

 it is inadvisable to open up stocks. In the spring it is better to err 

 on the late side, especially if in doubt, owing to the risk of disturbing 

 the bees too early in the year. Towards the close of the season, 

 no attempt shouldlje made to open stocks if robbing is in progress, or 

 a number of troubles hke those from Pandora's box will be unleashed. 



During the latter part of July, as well as the whole of August and 

 September (which are the worst months for robbing), colonies 

 should only be opened for as short a time as possible, and where 

 circumstances permit, it is preferable to choose the latter part of 

 the day, provided it is not too cool. 



An important point to watch for, especially during August or 

 just after the supers have been removed, is the amount of food 

 present in the brood chamber. Many a good strain of bee stores 

 heavily in the supers, leaving the brood combs almost entirely at 

 the disposal of the queen for brood rearing. As July and August 

 are the two wettest months in the season, it frequently happens 

 that early in August the brood chamber is bereft of food. This 

 means that a beginner who goes to such a stock (the supers having 

 been lifted) for the purpose of some small task, such as to remove 

 the queen prior to re-qiieening, is astounded at the vicious reception 

 he is accorded. It leaves him at a loss to know why such hitherto 

 gentle bees have turned so nasty. 



In such an event the best course is to close down the bees 

 without further delay. Put on a rapid feeder at once, and leave them 

 for at least an hour to settle down before attempting any further 

 manipulations. If possible, the proposed operation should be 

 postponed for a few days, during which a bottle feeder should be 

 kept going to restore normal conditions, by providing a little stored 

 food in the brood chamber. This will be available for the bees 

 next time the hive is opened, and is essential if, the purpose be to 

 find the queen, as it is an undertaking which may involve having the 

 brood chamber open for some considerable time. 



In any case, a slow feeder should always be started as soon as 

 the supers are removed. This enables proper winter stores to be 

 built up, and stimulates the queen to lay. This means that whereas 

 in August, if the preceding weeks have been wet (they usually are 

 after St. Swithun's day), there should be both brood and food in 

 the stock, the queen will be in lay, and is therefore found more 

 easily. Moreover, the bees are contented, and the bee-keeper who 

 then has to operate in the brood nest will find conditions very 

 much more in his favour. His work will be far more pleasant, with 

 the risk of being stung reduced as far as possible to a minimum. 



45 



