166 - SPBDfG. 



white clover appears ; but if the spring is favorable, 

 there is but little danger, unless they are robbed. If 

 you take the necessary care about worms, you will 

 know which are light, and whicS heavy, unless your 

 hives are suspended: even then, it is a duty to know 

 their true condition, in this respect. This is another 

 advantage of the simple hive ; merely raising one edge 

 to destroy worms, tells yon something about the 

 honey on hand. To be very exact, the hive should 

 be weighed when ready for the bees, and the weight 

 marked on it ; by weighing at any time after, tells at 

 once within a few pounds of what honey there is on 

 hand. Some allowance must be made for the age of 

 the combs, the quantity of brood, &c. It is wrong to 

 begin to feed without being prepared to continuB to 

 do so, as the supply must be kept up till honey is 

 abundant. 



HOW LONG IT WILL DO TO WAIT BEFORE FEEDING. 



If it is wished to wait as long as possible, and not 

 lose the bees, a test will be necessary to decide how 

 long it will do to delay feeding. In this case, strict 

 attention will he necessary ; tJiey will need eocaminatvon 

 every morning. If a light tap on the hive is answered - 

 by a brisk, lively buzzing, they are not suffering yet; 

 but if no answer is returned to your inquiry, it indi- 

 cates a want of strength. Extreme destitution destroys 

 all disposition to repel an attack. Sometimes a part 

 of the bees will be too weak to remain among the 

 combs, and will be lying on the bottom, and some fetr 



