172 SUMMEB. 



OHAPTBE XL 



PUTTIKG ON AND TAKING OFF BOXES. 



PurriNG on boxes may be considered a dutj inter- 

 mediate between spring arid summer management. I 

 cannot recommend putting them on as early as the 

 last of April, or first of May, in ordinary circumstan- 

 ces. It is possible to find a case that it would be best. 

 But before the hive- is full of bees it is generally use - 

 lessj very likely a disadvantage, by allowing a portion 

 of animal heat to escape that is needed in the hive to 

 mature the brood. Also, moisture may accumulate 

 until the inside moulds, &c. Some experience and 

 judgment is necessary to know about what time 

 boxes are needed. That boxes are needed at the 

 proper season, I think I shall not need an argument 

 to convince any one, in the present day. Bee-keepers 

 have generally discarded the barbarous practice of 

 killing the bees to obtain the honey. Many of them 

 have learned that a good swarm will store sufficient- 

 honey for winter, besides several dollars worth as 

 profit in boxes. 



ADVANTAGE OF THE PATENT VENDER. . 



Here is where the patent vender has taken the ad- 

 vantage of our ignorance, by pretending that no other 

 hive but his ever obtained such quantities, or so pure in 

 quality. 



TIME OF PUTTING ON ^RtTLE. 



It is probable a great many readers will need the 

 necessary observation to tell precisely when the hive 



