88 THE AViAUJ; on, 



WEIGHING HIVES, &c. 



One of the most effectual modes of ascertaining the condition of 

 a hive is by weighing it. Such knowledge is most important at 

 the close of the gathering season, in order that the bee-keeper may 

 determine whether he ought to give his bees artificial food to enable 

 them to live through the dreary winter. A knowledge of the 

 numerical strength of the colony is also useful, in enabling the 

 bee-keeper to decide which hives will be benefited by being joined 

 together^ which may be done on the plan explained in the articles 

 on " Fumigation " and " Driving." 



A hive can very easily be weighed, if a Salter's Spring Balance 

 be suspended near the apiary. The hive, having a strap or cord 

 passed under and over it, and crossing at right angles on the top, 

 may be hooked on to the balance, so that the weight will be indicated 

 on the dial. The weight of the hive should be marked on it when 

 empty, so that the exact amount of its cohtents may at any time be 

 ascertained. A colony of bees at Michaelmas ought/to weigh from 

 20 to 24 pounds, tliat 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 conclusive opinion ^ay be formed as to 

 the state of the colony. If the combs withiii 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. 



V. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATIONl. 



STINGS : THEIR PREVENTION AND Cl'EE. 



Some of our readers may deem ns neglectful in having, as it were, 

 left them to struggle through their bee-keeping novitiatelfvithout in- 

 forming them how to avoid being stung by their docile butjwell armed 

 flock. Of course, having described the bee-dress, we hae supposed 

 that the apiarian was clad, if not "in complete sted," at least, 

 in the head-gear and gloves, which will render him ilvulnerable. 



