194 BEE-FJRMING. 



swarm. If the greater part of the month is cold and 

 frosty, with occasional slight snow-storms, and with 

 scarcely a crocus visible until the third week, we cannot 

 expect to see any pollen carried in. It will then be found 

 useful to continue to place barley-meal within reach ; the 

 bees will use it instead of pollen. 



If any stock is deficient in food, which may be ascer- 

 tained by feeling the weight of the hive, give them a small 

 quantity of newly-made syrup each warm afternoon ; this 

 will stimulate, and do the colony good ; breeding will also 

 go on at a greater rate ; but care should be exercised not to 

 smear any syrup or honey on the hive or floor-board, it 

 will entice robbers, and most likely produce fighting. We 

 have used most successfully the best barley-sugar ; as this 

 is not stored in the cells, it is easy to ascertain when food 

 is scarce. 



The winter aconite [Eranthis hy emails) and various 

 species of spring crocus yield the chief supply of pollen 

 during this month. Close the entrance if snow lies on the 

 ground. Hundreds of bees perish from being enticed out 

 by the glare of the sun and snow combined. 



Work for April. 



Do not forget to encourage your weak stocks by rather 

 liberal feeding every warm evening. You will soon learn 

 when they have sufBcient food, for when honey can be 

 gathered your sugar will be left untouched. By neglect- 

 ing to feed in this month I have, when I began bee-keeping, 

 lost many large stocks. They appeared to be very healthy 

 and lively up to April, when all at once they died of actual 

 starvation. Nothing causes the kind bee-keeper so much 

 sadness in his bee pursuits as this, because the thought will 

 constantly arise in his mind, " I might have saved the 

 poor thinirr. If I had not been careless." 



