140 SPRING. 



(and we liave many such in spring,) towards evening, 

 even if there is not much wind, they are very apt to 

 miss the hive and bottom, and fall to the ground, so 

 benumbed with cold, as to be unable to rise again, and 

 by the next morning are "no use" whatever. On the 

 other hand, if they are near the earth, with a board as 

 described, there is no possibility of their alighting under 

 the hive, and if they should come short, and get on the 

 ground, they can always creep, long aftet they are too 

 cold to ily, and are able, and often do enter the hive 

 without the necessity of using their wings. 



Enough may be saved in one spring, from a few 

 hives, in this way, to make a good swarm, which taken 

 from several is not perceived ; yet, as much profit 

 from therrf might be realized, as if they were a swarm 

 by themselves. A little contrivance is all that is need- 

 ed to save them. To such as m-nst and will have them 

 up away from the earth, I would say, do suggest some 

 plan to save this portion of your best and most willttig 

 servants; have an alighting board project in front of 

 the hive at least one foot, or a board long enough to 

 reach from the bottom of the hive to the ground, that 

 they may get on that, and crawl up to the hive. Do 

 you want the inducement? Examine minutely the 

 earth about your hives, towards sunset, some day in 

 April, when the day has been fair, with some wind, and 

 chilly towards night, and you will be astonished at the 

 numbers that perish. Most of them will be loaded 

 with pollen, proving them martyrs to their own indus- 

 try and your negligence. When I see a bench three 

 feet high and no wider than the bottom of the hive, 



