24 



Pig. 6. Zinc queen-excluder (original). 



With all the bees working and the hives filling with honey, 

 there comes the question of disposition of the surplus. Occa- 

 sional examinations of the apiary should be made so as to 

 determine the cjuantity and cjuality of honey coming in, and 

 thus decide what frames or hive bodies to add or when to 

 extract so as to obtain best results. If a hive appears over- 

 crowded with bees, honey should be taken out or extra hive 

 bodies added. 



AA'hen examining a hive, care should be taken to see that 

 the cover is properly adjusted before leaving it, as honey ex- 

 posed for any length of time in a hive is likely to start the bees 

 robbing. It is easier to prevent robbing by exercising a little 

 care, than it is to stop it after it is once started. Replacing the 

 cover and greatly narrowing the entrance will stop the mar- 

 auding bees if they have not gone too far. Exposed stores 

 anywhere will often start robbing, so storerooms should be 

 made tight, and combs with honey should not be left lying 

 around. 



As the great majority of beekeepers keep but a few colonies 

 and as most of these colonies are kept for the sake of what 

 honey they will produce for home consumption, this kind of 

 bee-keeping should be made as attractive and pleasant as pos- 



