166 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



the quantity of comb (if any) necessary to fill up the 

 hive, and the amount of brood they are rearing. In 

 this matter they are governed by the quantity of 

 honey or feed they get ; if but little, but few young 

 bees are raised, and no comb built, even if the hive 

 is not full ; and when the clover blooms, which in a 

 very large extent of country constitutes the great 

 honey harvest, they are not much stronger or in but 

 little better condition than at the close of the fruit 

 tree flowers, although this period is the most im- 

 portant of any during the season, as regards the in- 

 crease of colonies either by nature or artificial 

 swarms, or the amount of surplus honey obtained. 



By feeding as directed, it stimulates them to rear 

 an increased amount of brood, and fill all vacancies 

 with comb. "When the clover blooms they are ready 

 to make the best of it, having the strongest possible 

 force at a time when their labors are the most 

 efficient and profitable, the combs being well stored 

 with brood advancing to maturity, which will be cast 

 off by natural swarming, or may be used for making 

 artificial swarms. The combs not occupied with 

 brood are likely to be well stored with honey and 

 pollen. In short, by judicious feeding early in the 

 season, all the stocks in the apiary may be in as 

 prosperous and vigorous a condition at the begin- 

 ning of the clover season as they usually are at its 

 close. 



I apprehend there are but few observing apiarians 

 but will admit, if this can be accomplished, the profits 

 of the year would be greatly increased. Some one, 



