336 THE BEE-KBEPHR'S GUIDE ; 



long winter's rest, and this stimulative feeding rarely pays. 

 We should also use the division-board, and keep the bees 

 crowded, especially if weak in the spring. Only give them 

 the number of combs that they can cover. It is very impor- 

 tant to keep all warm. Doolittle says this necessitates a tele- 

 scope cover to the hive. Though this last may with proper 

 management be unnecessary, it certainly does no harm ; it 

 may aid greatly. True, Mr. Heddon objects to this work of 

 feeding and manipulating division-boards, and secures much 

 honey and money. I have often wondered what his genius 

 and skill would accomplish should he vary his method in this 

 respect. Instead of feeding by use of the Smith (Fig. 127) or 

 other feeder, we may uncap a comb of honey and with it 

 separate combs of brood as the bees get two or three full frames 

 of the latter. This will stimulate the bees, and as they will 

 carry the honey from the uncapped cells the queen will be 

 impelled to most rapid laying. We may also fill empty combs 

 as already described, and place these in or close beside the 

 brood-nest. By turning around the brood-combs, or separating 

 them by adding combs with empty cells as the colonies gain 

 in strength, w? hasten brood-rearing to the utmost. This 

 matter of separating the brood-combs must be very cautiously 

 managed or brood will be chilled and much harm done. Most 

 bee-keepers do not take all this pains. Each one's experience 

 must be guide. 



TO AVOID THE SWARMING-FEVER. 



This is not always possible by any method, and has ever 

 been the obstacle in the way of successful comb-honey produc- 

 tion. The swarming impulse and great yields of this delecta- 

 ble product are entirely antagonistic. Messrs. Heddon, Davis, 

 and others, let the bees swarm. They hive these swarms on 

 foundation, and hope to have this all done, and both colonies 

 strong, in time for the honey harvest. Messrs. Hutchinson 

 and Doolittle hive the swarm ou empty frames, always, how- 

 ever, with starters, placing sections with their foundation, or 

 better, comb, on the hive at once. It is specially desirable to 

 have a few combs in the sections, to bait the bees and attract 

 them to the supers. They also restrict the brood-chamber, 



