546 bee-keepee's calendar. 



flying out; as their worry in finding themselves imprisoned 

 does them much harm. If any hives are suspiciously light, 

 food (607) should be given them; this only in mild climates. 

 Strong colonies will now begin to breed slightly, but nothing 

 should be done to excite them to premature activity. 



881. March. — In our Northern States, the inhospitable 

 reign of Winter still continues, and the directions given for 

 the two previous mouths are applicable to this. If there 

 should be a pleasant day, when the bees are able to fly briskly, 

 seize the opportunity to remove the covers (636) ; carefully 

 clean out the hives (663), and learn the exact condition of 

 every colony. See that your bees have water (271), and are 

 well supplied with rye-flour (365). In this month, weak 

 colonies commonly begin to breed, while strong ones increase 

 quite rapidly. 



If the Winter has been very severe, this month is the most 

 destructive to unhealthy bees. The hives of dead colonies 

 should be thoroughly cleaned, and closed tightly to keep rob- 

 bers (664) out, or they would carry off what honey may 

 remain in them. Spring dwindling (659) should be guarded 

 against by shutting off all upward ventilation (352), and 

 reducing the space in the brood-chamber (349) to the num- 

 ber of combs actually occupied by the bees. The entrance of 

 the hives, especially of the weak colonies, should also be nar- 

 rowed (348). 



If the weather is favorable, colonies which have been kept 

 in a special Winter depository, may now be put upon their 

 proper stands. 



The time of removal from cellars (646) must depend 

 altogether on the locality. Dr. C. C. Miller removes his 

 bees when the first maple tree blooms. In Canada, they are 

 sometimes left in the cellar till May. As a rule, bees are 

 not, and should not be, wintered in cellars, south of the 39th 

 degree of latitude. 



882. April.— Bees will ordinarily begin to gather much 

 pollen (263), in this month, and sometimes considerable 



