2Q4. BEE-FARMING. 



of the honey harvest from the numerous autumnal flowers, 

 chiefly the Composite, but food is short. Unless they are 

 now liberally fed many stocks will bs lost ; they should at 

 least be carefully examined, or, what will be best, if you 

 know the actual weight of the hives, weigh them, and, if 

 you believe they do not contain 20 lbs. of honey, they 

 should be fed. Remember ! it will be too late to do this 

 in a few weeks, because, when paralysed with cold, they 

 are unable to take in the food if they be ever so willing 

 to do so. 



Make the entrance to the hives small, so that not more 

 than three bees can pass and re-pass each other;- this advice 

 is needful just now ; you have a dreadful enemy to contend 

 against in the shape of wasps, but they are powerless when 

 your stocks are thus aided in their self-defence. 



Work for October. 



Work begins to be slack, except where the bee-keeper 

 has neglected feeding, which must be done as early in this 

 month as possible, or they will refuse to take in any food. 

 Every hive intended for stocks next year, and which we 

 are expecting to be profitable, should, without any loss of 

 time, be put in a condition for wintering well. First 

 attend well to the ventilation, and especially see that they 

 are well sheltered from the rain, &c. Pan-mugs placed 

 on the top of straw hives as a cover or screen from the 

 weather may do for rough, unthinking bee owners, but 

 should never be adopted by those who love their bees ; on 

 the contrary, make good straw covers, or, if you can 

 afford it, wood covers, which are the best. Break up 

 weak stocks, and unite them with a stronger colony. In 

 straw hives it is well to make a small hole through the 

 centre of every comb, to enable the bees to pass in any 

 direction with comfort, and without having to traverse 



