BEE-FARMER'S CALENDJR. 191 



ihives ; they creep in unawares, and, finding a warm com- 

 fortable home, with a rich pantry, they are very loth to 

 leave such a pleasant domicile; but oust them out without 

 the least compunction, as they work sad havoc amongst the 

 ■combs. Birds are on the look-out for solitary bees flying 

 -abroad during sunny days ; however, we do not think 

 they do much damage, the few bees they gobble up v/ill 

 not be so very great a loss. The only bee-enemy which 

 we dislike is the little tomtit; in straw hives he does a 

 ^reat deal of mischief. In bar-frame hives, neither mice 

 nor birds ever give much trouble. 



Take care the entrance is made small, then you need 

 pay no more attention, except it be to shade the entrance 

 if snow be on the ground. 



Never entirely close up the mouth of the hive, as we 

 .have known many thoughtless bee-keepers do in hard 

 weather. Bees require fresh air as much as we do. It is 

 not cold that kills them, damp is more to be dreaded. 



Look up any old hives, repaint them on the outside, and 

 clean them in every nook and corner. If you purpose 

 mcreasing your stocks during the coming summer, prepare 

 your hives in time ; do not leave them to be sought when 

 the swarms are flying abroad. We have invariably found 

 it better to purchase them than to make them ourselves, 

 -when they can be bought at all reasonably. 



Work for February. 



Winter being almost gone, we are apt to imagine the 

 -stocks still left alive require no more care or attention. 

 J\. greater fallacy cannot well be conceived. Now our 

 work must begin in right good earnest. 



Lose no time in overhauling your stocks. Having 

 tlown a little smoke amongst them, lift the hive bodily 



