and its Economic Management. 259 



We have then to consider which plan of procedure will give 

 the largest surplus with the least amount of time and capital 

 invested. Your stock also is to be held in the highest state of 

 excellence generally year after year. The desideratum to be 

 followed is that mentioned as the " Tenth Method," which, 

 worked together with the non-swarming system, will be found 

 the very foundati9n-stone of success. 



Spring Dwindling. — Avoid it by retaining only young 

 queens ; let your stocks be well stored for the winter ; avoid 

 stimulative feeding after August ; see that the combs are well 

 stored with pollen. The production of young bees up to cold 

 weather ruins the colony — such bees are of no use in 

 wintering. 



On the other hand a well found'stock will not (if undisturbed) 

 breed during October, November, and December, but with 

 the New Year several patches of brood begin to appear, 

 gradually increasing in size, until the full combs are occupied 

 as the returning warmth encourages its more extensive pro- 

 duction. All is progress, and a large youthful population is 

 secured before the older bees take frequent flights. 



Such colonies are ready for anything, and the severest cold 

 cannot prevent the starting of brood at the centre of the 

 cluster during January. Stocks stimulated in Autumn are 

 those which dwindle most in Spring, because young bees are 

 not then produced in quantity before the older workers are 

 worn out. 



Natural laws cannot be violated with impunity. The 

 period of rest is absolutely necessary, and if that term com- 

 mences in August better far than in November. Remember 



