550 bee-keeper's calendar. 



a second crop is expected, the bees should again be incited to 

 breed (606) to be ready for this second crop. 



The bees should have a liberal allowance of air during all 

 extremely hot weather, especially if they are in unpainted 

 hives, or stand in the sun (344). 



The larger the amount of honey they contain, the greater 

 the danger of combs breaking down from the intense heat 

 (369). The end of the honey crop can be told by the 

 presence of a few robbers who immediately begin lurking 

 about the hives (664). 



886. August.— In most regions, there is but little forage 

 for bees during the latter part of July, and the first of August^ 

 and they being, on this account, tempted to rob each other, 

 the greatest precautions should be used in opening hives 

 (666). In districts where buckwheat is extensively culti- 

 vated, on flat prairies, or in the low land surrounding o.u- 

 rivers,, in which Fall-blossoms grow, the main harvp^.t is soiae- 

 times gathered during this month and the next, and swarm- 

 ing (406) may be resumed. In 1856, we had a buckwheat 

 swarm as late as the 16th of September ! 



The bee-keeper who has queenless hives (499) on hand 

 as late as August, must expect, as the result of his ignorance 

 or neglect, either to have them robbed (664) by other colo- 

 nies, or destroyed by the moth (802). 



887. Septembee.— This is often a very busy month with 

 bees. The Fall flowers are in full blossom, and in some 

 seasons, colonies which have hitherto amassed but little honey, 

 become heavy, and even yield a surplus to their owner. Bees 

 are quite reluctant to build comb so late in the season, even 

 if supplies are very abundant; but if empty combs are pro- 

 vided, they will flU them with astonishing celerity ('763). 



As soon as the first frost takes place, or whenever the crop 

 is at end, the entire surplus must be removed, whether it be 

 comb or extracted honey. If our method of extracting 

 (781) is resorted to, the supers that have been returned to 

 the bees, for cleaning, after the honey is extracted, may be 



