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Fill the empty spaces caused by the removal of these with empty 

 comb or comb-foundation. It takes about six weeks to build up a 

 colony of sufficient strength to take advantage of an early flow 

 of honey. Prepare for queen-rearing early in April, according to 

 the instructions given in the British Bee-keeper's Chiide Booh. 

 In the beginning of May, if the weather be favourable, the 

 winter chafE packing may be removed, and the frames and bees 

 transferred to clean hives, giving them also clean floor-boards. 

 Continue gentle feeding until the incoming honey exceeds the 

 daily consumption. Be on the look-out for foul brood, and if 

 present commence treatment with naphthol beta and naphthaline 

 as directed in Ghdde Booh without delay. 



II.— SUMMEE. 



Pbepabb racks of sections for use by putting comb-foundation 

 in the boxes, and when the bees begin to store honey in large 

 quantities place frames of sections with separators at the side of 

 the brood-nest, and as soon as the foundation in these becomes 

 drawn out, they can be removed with the adhering bees and 

 put into the rack on the top of the hive. This will induce the 

 bees to take to the supers more readily. As fast as any of the 

 sections on the top are completed, they should be removed and 

 stored away in crates. Two or even three racks of sections may 

 be worked at the same time. Towards the close of the season the 

 sections may be finished off in one rack. To prevent the bees swarm- 

 ing, give them additional room in advance of their requirements. 

 Extract when necessary to relieve the brood-combs of superfluous 

 honey, and give the queen room for laying. Should the bees persist 

 in swarming, remove all the combs, give frames of comb-foundation, 

 and return the swarm ; this will generally stop the swarming 

 fever, and not inteiTupt the work in the sections. Double those 

 colonies intended for extracting, and extract at suitable intei-vals. 

 Make artifiicial swarms if required, and check swarming by 

 cutting out queen-cells, extracting honey, and removing frames 

 of brood. 



