BEE CALENDAR. 



313 



In uncapping for the purpose of extracting, hold the frames 

 so that the cappings will fall clear of the comb below the knife. 

 Cut downwards, and take a long-drawn cut; let the action of the 

 knife be towards the operator. By no means saw the cappings 

 off. In putting the frames in the extractor, place them so that 

 the bottom bar of the frame leads in the rotary motion of the 

 machine; in so doing, the honey leaves the cells much more freely 

 than if put in the reverse of that advised. 



Don't extract too much unsealed comb, otherwise the honey 

 will have a tendency to ferment. Honey in bulk should occupy 

 a warm position, for the purpose of evaporation ; this will cause 

 the honey to ripen and give it a greater density. 



Have water in easy access of your bees. The nearer it is to 

 the apiary the better, as it will save the bee a lot of trips to and 

 fro. Bees are fond of brackish water; it aids in keeping ^them in 

 health. Put some in tins in easy reach. Of course, a little salt 

 added to fresh water will do it. Place some chips in it for the 

 bees to alight on. 



Go in for queen rearing, or purchase from a dealer of good 

 repute for healthy bees, for all useless and degenerating queens 

 should be superseded. Remember like produces like, and good 

 healthy queens produce good healthy progeny. 



The chronological accuracy of these calendars is only relatively 

 correct, seeing the very extensive climatic ranges existing in the 

 States of Australia, almost from tropic to fridgid. The climate of 

 the extreme north when compared with that of the extreme south 

 is greatly diversified ; so with the mountain ranges ; the arid 

 plains when contrasted with the humid coastal districts. Therefore 

 amateur beekeepers having had little or no experience must be 

 guided by the give-and-take principle. The work with bees glides 

 from one month to another almost imperceptibly. Thus his work 

 mnst be largely regulated by the climatic changes taking place in 

 his own district. 



