BEE CALENDAR. 307 



June. 



This is the month to commence in earnest to establish live 

 break-winds and sunshades. Plant them about 4 feet from the 

 hives, so as to give yourself room to work, and also to take a 

 wheelbarrow or hand-cart, for these are sometimes very useful 

 appliances in a bee farm. Last month I gave instructions for 

 planting, and the best kind of plants for the purpose. As soon 

 as the plants start into growth attend to the necessary. "As the 

 twig is bent so does the tree grow" is an old proverb that is ap- 

 plicable to more than the vegetable kingdom. 



Continue to make up hives and frames for the coming season. 

 Fumigate all spare combs that are stowed away. Brush over all 

 spare hives with a solution of carbolic acid, both inside and out ; 

 let it run well into the joints and angles. When the weather 



will permit see that the hives are free from dampness. In the 

 colder districts of the Colony put o.n additional mats as protection 

 against frost. Mats made of plaited straw are most impervious 

 to cold. If snow is anticipated, cover these with a bit of zinc or 

 tin, for when the thaw takes place they retain the dampness for 

 a long while. If the hives have been painted, and they are always 

 the better for it, the absorbative nature of the wood has been 

 much mitigated, and aids greatly in keeping the inside of the hives 

 dry. In some of the coldest parts of America the bees are housed 

 during the winter, first seeing that they have sufficient stores to 

 carry them through. This is not advisable here, nor even in our 

 coldest parts. In the coldest latitudes of N.S.W. during winter 

 we have frequently bitterly cold nights, but during midday the sun 

 shines out warm and bright. Such days are always taken advantage 

 of by bees for the purpose of flying out and discharging their faeces. 

 The very exercise adds warmth on their return. 



In all your work keep the idea of the coming spring con- 

 stantly before you. The stocks that come out strongest and 

 healthiest in the spring are the ones you will derive your profits 

 from. 



July- 



Old Father Winter came in upon us at the close of last month 

 in all his strength, and is likely to continue so for some weeks 

 hence. Bee management during winter months differs little ; there- 

 fore, what was said of last month is also fully applicable to this. 



