118 FORTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES. 



destroyed (kc means I destroyed the queen-cells), q for 

 queen, s for saw, but sc means sealed queen-cell, t for 

 took, V for virgin queen, Q for super. 



PLACE FOR PENCIL. 



To make sure of having a pencil always handy to 

 make entries, it is tied to the book, as also is a pair of scis- 

 sors for clipping queens unless the latter is replaced by a 

 pair of pocket scissors. A strong string is put in the 

 middle of the book, passed around the back and tied, and 

 to this is tied a long string that holds the pencil, and an- 

 other for the scissors. To prevent the scissors hanging 

 open with its two sharp points, a common rubber band 

 is so fastened on the handles as to hold them together. 

 While the band holds the scissors together when not in 

 use, its elasticity allows their free use when needed. 



KILLING GRASS. 



This is a good time to salt the ground at and about 

 the entrances of the hives, to kill the grass, although too 

 often I leave it till it has to be cut with a sickle. Grass 

 growing in front of the hive annoys the bees, and that 

 growing at the side annoys the operator, especially if the 

 operator is of the female persuasion, and the grass is wet 

 with dew or rain. 



HARBINGERS OF HARVEST. 



There are certain things always noticed by a bee- 

 keeper, with much interest, as heralding the beginning 

 of spring or of the honey-harvest. Among these are the 

 singing of frogs, the advent of bluebirds, and the opening 

 of various blossoms. With me the highest interest centers 

 in white clover. As I go back and forth to the out- 

 apiaries, I am always watching the patches of white clover 

 along the roadside. If your attention has never been 



