THE BEGINNER IN BEE CULTURE. 11 



The ■work of fastening the foundation is best done during warm weather 

 when the wax is easy to work. The roller should be moved smartly- with 

 gradually increasing pressure, and dipped in water occasionally to prevent it 

 sticking. When the foundation is securely fastened to the top bar, place 

 the frame and foundation over the board, wire uppermost ; then imbed the 

 wires, by running the imbedder along the wires. If vedge and groove 

 frames are used, the foundation is placed in the centre or larger groove, and 

 wedged up with the wedge strips supplied for that purpose ; the wire is then 

 imbedded as stated above. To prevent the foundation from bulging, allow 

 ^-inch clearance from the bottom bar. 



EXAMINATION OF THE HIVE. 



To prepare to examine a colony it is necessary to have an efficient smoker 

 and a hive tool, or a lever the shape of a sci'ew-driver. It is advisable, 

 too, to have a veil in readiness to afford protection for the face. There are 

 apiarists that do not use a veil ; but I would advise the beginner to have it 

 carefully adjusted, for even the most practical apiarists like to wear a veil or 

 have it on the hat so that protection can be had when required. Howevei-, if 

 the manipulation is carried out in the right way there will be very little trouble 

 as regards stinging. A colony should not be examined unles.x the day is fine 

 enough to allow the bees to work freely, and it seldom happens that a 

 colony should be examined during winter months. 



■ Before attempting to remove the cover, it is advisable to give the guards 

 at the entrance a couple of puffs of smoke, then raise the cover about 

 2 inches and give two or three pull's of smoke right over the frames. The 

 cover can then be removed. Note should be taken whether the bees are 

 tending to become excited at any time during manipulation, in which fiisp a 

 little more smoke may be given, but tliere is no need to overdo the smoking, 

 for unnecessary punishment of this kind demoralises the bees. 



To remove a frame, lever the adjoining ones so as to give sufficient 

 clearance to prevent crushing the bees ; if there is any burr comb it is best 

 to cut it as near as possible to tlie adjoining frame. Wlien examininj; 

 combs always hold the frame so that the comb will be upright, otherwise 

 the new honey will drip about the hive, while the comb, having no support 

 from the frame, is likely to be damaged. 



The Brood Nest. 



The portion of the hive taken up for the purpose of raising brood is termed 

 the "brood nest." In the early spring the brood nest is at times found in the 

 supers ; but later the bees will require this portion of the hive for storing 

 purposes, and the queen will be forced to take up her correct position in the 

 lower body, and will also lay in the supers when space is available. It is by 

 examination of the brood nest that a general idea as to the state of the 

 colony is arrived at ; and it is therefore essential that the apiarist shall 

 have an idea as to what the different conditions of the brood or brood nest 

 will denote. 



Practically any adverse conditions — such as drought, excessive rain, or a 

 dearth of pollen or nectar — will have some effect on the quantity of brood 

 being raised, and these conditions must therefore be considered. Brood will 

 be found in the hive from September to about the end of March unless some 

 very abnormal condition prevails. 



