190 BEE-FARMING. 



All apiarians rejoice when they can secure early- 

 swarms. The old saw says : — 



A swarm of bees in May 

 Is worth a load of hay. 



You may reasonably hope for early swarms only when 

 you keep strong stocks, not otherwise. We trust we 

 have now said sufficient, not alone to convince the practical 

 apiarian, but to induce all our readers who scan the above 

 remarks to keep strong stocks, for then they may expect 

 the apiary to be profitable as well as instructive. 



BEE FARMER'S CALENDAR. 

 Work for January. 



No real work is needful during this the first month of 

 the year ; but there are one or two points worthy of 

 attention, and, if we love our bees, nothing will be thought 

 too much trouble. We fear there are many so-called bee- 

 keepers who are very careless, and by carelessness alone 

 they allow many of their stocks to die during this and the 

 following two or three months. 



Ventilation. Owing to this being overlooked, in the 

 majority of cases, many colonies become diseased and 

 perish. A free current of air should be allowed to run 

 through the entire hive ; a good plan is to elevate the 

 top-board about one-eighth of an inch; by this means the 

 air in the hive is kept dry; but when a wooden hive is 

 tightly closed it becomes saturated with moisture; v^e 

 once lost a most valuable stock from this cause. If the 

 bees which venture on the alighting board at the entrance 

 void a yellow substance, it is a sign they have dysentery ; 

 no time must be lost in looking after the stock, if they 

 are to be saved from utter loss. 



Mice are very fond of the shelter afforded by straw 



