182 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



good with all kinds of hives, with this exception : 

 in movable comb hives, and all that class of hives 

 used for increasing bees by dividing or artificial 

 swarms, a condition of things is brought about quite 

 different from that naturally existing in the common 

 hive, where bees are left to take their own course, 

 being permitted to swarm in the natural way, when 

 the season and surrounding circumstances are favor- 

 able for this important event. It not unfrequently 

 happens, during some seasons, that although bees 

 swarm but little, if any, yet in the latter part of the 

 season they store a very large amount of surplus 

 honey, thereby realizing a handsome income to the 

 bee-keeper upon his investment, although his stocks 

 may not be increased. 



Early in the spring, examine your stocks carefully, 

 remove all the dead bees and filth of all kinds from 

 the bottom-board of the hive, or the board on which 

 they stand, if open at the bottom ; repeat this clean- 

 ing operation every few days, until the bees become 

 so numerous as to occupy all the spaces between and 

 around the lower edges of the combs, when they will 

 generally keep themselves free from any further ac- 

 cumulation of filth. They should be fed in the 

 chamber or upper part of the hive, as directed in 

 another chapter, being careful to feed with great 

 regularity. If the hives are strong and reasonably 

 heavy, but a small amount need be fed each day. 

 Toward the latter part of April it would be well to 

 blow a little smoke under the hives, and turn them 

 upside down and examine the combs ; if any of them 



