and its Ecoiioiuic Maiuigcniciit. 393 



To be in the highest degree profitable, year after year, 

 'a colony must always be in possession of a good queen. 

 Hitherto it has been considered that a queen is at her best 

 during her second season ; but in the future, the apiarist 

 who wishes to compete with the times will give his stock a 

 young queen every year. Such young queen is not to be 

 inserted either in the spring or usual swarming time ; but 

 by observing the "Tenth Method " it will be seen that the 

 whole matter is reduced to a system. 



Preserving Combs. — Can any bee-keeper who uses the 

 close-fitting, non-ventilated floors with hives in common use ; 

 ■can he, I repeat, honestly say that the combs in his hives 

 during winter, and early spring which may not be covered 

 by the bees, are free from deterioration by the action of 

 dampness and mould ? 



A great many combs are injured yearly in such hives, 

 but where the Author's non-contact chambers are adopted 

 ■every comb remains perfectly dry and sound. Un- 

 ■doubtedly, therefore, the great question of ventilation both 

 in summer and winter is now,' and finally, solved by the 

 use of his hanging chambers. 



Planting for Bees. — As a common field crop, clover 

 is usually sown with, or over corn in spring ; but from the 

 bee-keeper's point of view I have modified this rule by 

 arranging for sowing the fine plots in August or September. 

 The plover plant really comes the stronger at this season 

 of sowing ; it is not choked by summer weeds, and 

 practically a year is saved. Where stock is reared 

 largely, a combination of the two seasons of sowing 

 would probably be necessary. 



