274 MANUAL OF THE APIARY. 



CHAPTER XX. 

 CALENDAR AND AXIOMS. 



WORK FOR DIFFERENT MONTHS.* 



Though every live apiarist will take one, at least, of the three 

 excellent journals relating to this art, printed in our country, 

 in which the necessai-y work of each month will be detailed, 

 yet it may be well to give some brief hints in this place. 



JANUARY. 



During this month the bees will need little attention. — 

 Should the bees in the cellar or depository become uneasy, 

 which will not happen if the requisite precautions are taken, 

 and there come a warm day, it were well to set them on their 

 summer stands, that they may enjoy a purifying flight. At 

 night when all are again quiet return them to the cellar. — 

 While out I would clean the bottom-boards, especially if 

 there are many dead bees. This is the time, too, to read, 

 visit, study and plan for the ensuing season's work. 



FEBRUARY. 



No advice is necessary further than that given for Janu- 

 ary, though if the bees have a good fly in January, they will 

 scarcely need attention in this month. The presence of snow 

 on the ground need not deter the apiarist from giving his 

 bees a flight, providing the day is warm and still. It is 

 better to let them alone if they are quiet. 



MARCH. 



Bees should still be kept housed, and those outside still retain 

 about them the packing of straw, shavings, &c. Frequent 

 flights do no good, and wear out the bees. Colonies that are 

 uneasy, and besmear their hives should be set out, and 

 allowed a good flight and then returned. 



♦These dates are arraaeed for the Northern States, where the fruit trees blossom 

 about the first of May. By noting these flowers, the dates can be easily cbanged 

 to suit any locality 



