SPRING MANAGEMENT. 273 
returning to the spot which they had themselves 
voluntarily deserted; but those that are brought away 
against their will from the home in which they were 
established, or which they had come to recognise 
even for a day, are certain to return thereto, if in 
the course of their new flight they come across their 
customary landmarks. 
General Directions.—As soon as vegetation begins 
to appear, with genial weather, all obstructions to 
the free access to the hives must be removed; and 
by degrees extended space given at the mouth. The 
critical time for the bees is now approaching; for 
in February brood often rapidly increases, requiring 
greater attention to the preservation of a uniform 
warmth. The tops of the hives not already under 
cover should therefore be closed in, to prevent currents 
of cold air, which are often at this time fatal both 
to the eggs and larve, as may be seen by the 
ejectment of dead grubs. Even much later on in 
the season the recurrence of cold days will leave 
certain proofs of mischief; and at such times the 
mouths of the hives ought again to be contracted 
and screened, carefully retaining the outer coverings 
till all danger is past. 
The bees will now, in fine weather, go forth in 
search of pollen, which they bring into the hive in 
large or apparently in useless quantity, so as 
sometimes to render it necessary afterwards to 
remove it, at a great expense of labour. “This,” 
says Gelieu, “is the only point on which they can 
be accused of a want of that prudence and fore- 
sight, so admirable in every other respect.” A 
T 
