and its Economic Manageinen/. 193 



but a constant period of fine and mild days will the sooner 

 wear out the older bees ; while the dull days are a cause of 

 rest and recuperation, if other conditions internally are 

 correct for continued progress. 



One often hears of beekeepers regreting that a sudden 

 cold snap has checked brood development and caused a 

 lot of chilled brood to be thrown out of the hives, and yet, 

 after once developing a brood nest, a stock properly ad- 

 justed and fed, will take no notice of sudden frost or snow, 

 and will continue its progressive state in spite of the 

 elements. 



A great many beekeepers are troubled with 



Spiring Dwindling, 



so called, because after making exertions to develop the 

 brood nest, the bees rapidly decrease in numbers instead 

 of continuing a progressive state of increase. This is 

 almost entirely due to the owner's own mismanagement, 

 or miscalculations. 



The Causes of Dwindling 



may be the retention of old queens ; bad ventilation and 

 consequent dampness in winter ; insufificient food causing 

 a feeling of poverty ; yes, and even an excess of food 

 where no effort is made at the right time to convert it into 

 life and force. 



Feeding during winter, and more particularly with 

 Candy, between October and February, inclusive ; as well 

 as stimulating the bees to breed too late in Autumn, or 

 too early in Spring, should all be avoided where one hopes 

 to push forward with the greatest rapidity when warmer 

 weather is approaching. 



The Qoiden Rule 



in stimulative feeding must never be lost sight of; it is 

 this : — " Do not commence until all conditions are 



N 



