MANUAL OF THE APIAEY. 275 



The colony or colonies from which we desire to rear queens 

 and drones should now be fed, to stimulate breeding. By 

 careful pruning, too, we may and should prevent the rearing^ 

 of drones in any but the best colonies. If from lack of care 

 the previous autumn, any of our stocks are short of stores, now 

 is when it will be felt. In such cases feed either honey, sugar, 

 syrup, or place candy on top of the frames beneath the quilt. 



APRIL. 



Early in this month the bees may all be set out. It will 

 be best to feed all, and give all access to flour, when they 

 will work at it, though usually they can get pollen as soon 

 as they can fly out to advantage. Keep the brood chamber 

 contracted so that the frames will all be covered, and cover 

 well above the bees to economize heat. 



MAT. 



Prepare nuclei to start extra queens. Feed sparingly till 

 bloom appears. Grive room for storing. Extract if neces- 

 sary, and keep close watch, that you may anticipate and 

 forestall any attempt to swarm. Now, too, is the best time 

 to transfer. 



JUNE. 



Keep all colonies supplied with vigorous, prolific queeas. 

 Divide the colonies, as may be desired, especially enough to 

 prevent attempts at swarming. Extract if necessary or best ; 

 adjust frames or sections, if comb honey is desired, and be 

 sure to keep all the white clover honey, in whatever form 

 taken, separate from all other. Now is the best time to 

 Italianize. 



JULY. 



The work this month is about the same as that of June. — 

 Supersede all poor and feeble queens. Keep the basswood 

 honey by itself, and remove boxes or frames as soon as full. 

 Be sure that queens and workers have plenty of room to do 

 their best, and suffer not the hot sun to strike the hives. 



AUGUST. ''* 



Do not fail to supersede impotent queens. Between bass- 



