138 A Modern Bee-Farm 



First Honey Flow 



is upon us ; \Yeather steady, and temperature from 70° to 80° 

 in the shade, with plenty of forage in all directions. Our 

 sections are all ready on the hives, providing not less than 

 40 lbs. capacity with combs all drawn out ; or 20 lbs. to start 

 with if only foundation is given, or with weaker colonies. 



We are now in full working order, and in looking around 

 we find here a hive and there another which" require more 

 surplus room, or the bees will be at work below the brood 

 nest. Where any crates are completed remove them, inserting 

 a fresh set in place of each. If foundation has to be used let 

 that go next above the brood frames ; and combed sections if 

 on hand are to be placed above those already on the hive. 

 Great care must be taken to 



Reduce the Super-Space 



towards the end of the season ; and this is done by gradually 

 removing completed sections, and then closing up with the 

 dummy. The open spaces thus left above the frames may be 

 stopped by strips of wood or carpet. This plan is preferable 

 to adding further sections, and the almost certainty of a great 

 number being left incomplete. 



An additional advantage is secured by this process of con- 

 traction as the season is closing. The bees are compelled to 

 " crowd " on all the remaining comb space, and it does not 

 appear to be generally known that while under this condition 

 a far greater number of sections will be completed by the 

 bees using honey carried up from the stock combs, even after 

 gathering has actually ceased. 



Remove Sections 



during the working hours of the day, when a few puffs of 

 smoke will generally send all the bees below. If this fails, take 



