V}2 BEE-FJRMING. 



from the bottom board, if they are in sleeps, and brush off 

 all the dead bees; in fact, carefully clean it from all dirt, 

 &c. which might hinder or impede them in their work. 



They are just now enlivened with every gleam of 

 sunshine, and anxious to be abroad, thefefore remove every 

 obstacle. 



This month, above all others, is rife with disease. By 

 removing the bottom board dysentery, &c. is easily detected 

 and by timely warning the stock may be saved. If the 

 hive appears at all damp, lift it up above the bottom board, 

 supporting it about a quarter of an inch all round by thin 

 wedges from about lO a.m. to 3 p.m. By no means leave 

 the stock thus exposed to night-air; if any snow should 

 fjll, especially now, after the bees have commenced their 

 spring flight, close up the entrance for a few hours until 

 the glare has passed away. 



Remember more stocks die from sheer want of food 

 after March has come in than at any other period ; there- 

 fore begin to feed every stock in the apiary very cautiously. 

 This will have a twofold advantage; by feeding them 

 during any warm or dry day the queen will commence 

 depositing brood, thus your stocks will probably throw olF 

 very early swarms. We have tested this; we fed three 

 small stocks, commencing the last week in February, and 

 gave each stock about two pounds and a-half of syrup 

 each fortnight, until the second week in April; these 

 stocks threw off each three fine swarms the following 

 summer; but two other hives left unfed only swarmed 

 once, the second week in July; thus feeding proved very 

 profitable. 



Another wise thing is to place a shallow dish a little 

 distance from the bee-shed filled with barley-flour. We 

 hnd our bees will take up a considerable quantity to 

 the hives during mild sunny days; this will be another 

 icrong inducement for the queen to begin laying her eggs. 



