284 THE BEE-KEEPER S MANUAL. 
and particularly when the family are all assembled 
at night. And now the exertions of the bees are 
called into action for the purpose of promoting 
ventilation and expelling the vitiated air by means 
of a rapid and continuous vibration of their wings. 
This collective fanning gives rise to a considerable 
sound, but we are assured by Von Berlepsch that 
that usually known as humming is caused by the 
breathing of the bees. Sometimes the heat of the 
hive impels the inhabitants to seek a cooler 
temperature by clustering on the outside. At such 
times it is often well to aid in moderating the 
warmth by slightly raising up the bottom edge of 
the supers with a few strips of wood or lead. At 
page 185 we have given some general recommenda- 
tions relative to the shading of exposed hives, as 
also on the subject of water. 
In most localities, the best part of the honey 
season will now be approaching; and much con- 
sequently depends on the state of the weather. In 
particular, a prevalence of dry easterly winds, acting 
on vegetation, causes the suspension of almost all 
operations; so that the main honey-storing time is 
often limited to three or four weeks in the season, 
or frequently even less, in our uncertain climate. 
The secretion of honey is remarkably promoted by 
an electric state of the atmosphere. Huber says 
truly of the bees, “I have remarked that the 
collection by these creatures is never more abun- 
dant, nor their operations in wax more active, than 
when the wind is from the south, the air moist and 
warm, and a storm approaching.” A certain 
