58 MANAGEMENT OF OUT-APIARIES 



In giving' heavy combs of sealed honey at this time of the year I think 

 it better to alternate them with the light ones which the colony has, where 

 more than one are given, as I consider such alterations more in harmony 

 with good wintering. Of late 1 have been trying a little different plan 

 where colonies are light in stores, which is, to set the heavy combs of honey 

 next to one side of the hive, but having just one light comb next to the 

 wall of the hive. Suppose I am to set in three heavy combs. I first take 

 out three that are the nearest empty, shaking the bees from them. I now 

 draw one of these light frames next to the side of the hive, when the three 

 heavy frames of honey are put in. This brings the outside of the cluster 

 in touch with the first heavy comb of honey; and as soon as they are in 

 need of more food than that contained in their light combs they begin to 

 move over on the heavy ones. Thus the cluster moves toward their stores 

 all winter, and never starves. With stores equally divided on either side of 

 the cluster, that being in the center, it often happens that the cluster moves 

 toward one side; and when the honey on that side is consumed they fail to 

 cross over to the opposite side, and so starve with plenty of honey in the 

 hive, but seemingly out of their reach. 



Having the bottom-boards all turned, and knowing that all colonies 

 have plenty of stores, I next fasten all the bottom-boards to the hive by 

 driving a crate-staple on either side, with one point going into the hive 

 and the other into the bottom-board, as near the center as is convenient 

 with rapid working. Some seem to think that it is better to use one of 

 tliese staples at each comer, and this may be so where hives are to be 

 hauled from the out-apiary home for wintering, and back again in the 

 spring; but for carrying to the cellar, and setting out again, the carrying 

 being done by two men and a rope, the two crate-staples are amply suf- 

 ficient. In driving these staples I find that a hand-ax, or something having 

 a driving-face sufficiently large to cover the whole staple at each blow, thus 

 driving both points at the same time, is much better than an ordinary 

 liammer that drives only one point at each blow. 



With the driving of the last staple the work done at the eleventh visit 

 is accomplished, as well as that for the year, except setting the bees in the 

 cellar. As the day still continues fine, we take another roundabout road 

 for our ride home, where we arrive in due time, feeling that the day has 

 been very profitably spent, even though we have consumed the most of it 

 on the road. 



CHAPTER XII. 



With the morning of November 23 comes a propitious time for setting 

 the bees in the cellar, as those in the home apiary had a nice flight the day 

 before, and now the mercury marks 4 degrees above freezing, which is 

 better than below the freezing-point. While I like to have the bees fly as 

 late in the season as possible, I find that, with a flight at any time after 

 the first of November, it is better to set them in as soon as possible there- 

 after, rather than to wait later, hoping for still another flight ; for it more 



to squeeze through. Many careful beekeepers have learned from bitter experience that 

 it is almost impossible to tier up hives of honey in this way so that they are safe to 

 leave for long. 



