FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 59 



always danger that records may be changed, either through 

 accident or mischievous design. One disadvantage of the book 

 is the danger of forgetting it. One may forget it at an out- 

 apiary,, and then have to make a special trip to get it. I've done 

 that. 



SPRING OVEEHAULING. 



After the bees are hauled to the out-apiaries, I am ready 

 for the spring overhauling as soon as the weather is right for it. 

 I do not want to open up the hives except at a time when it is 

 warm enough for bees to fly freely. Too much danger of chill- 

 ing the brood. Sometimes there may come, one good day fol- 

 lowed by a week of weather too bad for bees to fly. So I may 

 commence overhauling in April, and perhaps not till in May; 

 and if I do begin in April I may not get all done till well on 

 in May. 



HIVE-SEAT. 



Having due regard for my own comfort, I want a seat 

 when I work at a hive. Mr. Doolittle once tried to poke fun at 

 me in convention, because I accidentally admitted that I sat 

 down to work at bees. If I were obliged to work all the season 

 without a seat, I am afraid I would have to give up the busi- 

 ness from exhaustion. Moreover, if I had the strength of a 

 Samson I don't think I should waste it stooping over hives, 

 so long as I could get a seat. I generally have three or four 

 seats about the apiary, and they may not all be of the same 

 kind. A common glass-box is more used than any other. To 

 make it convenient for carrying, a strap of leather or cloth 

 may be nailed to two diagonally opposite comers on the bot- 

 tom. Or the cover may be nailed on the box with a hand-hole 

 in the middle. The box being of three different dimensions, 

 one has a choice as to height of seat. It is a little curious to 

 know what a difference there is in this respect as to the prefer- 

 ences of different persons. My assistant never uses the highest 

 seat the box affords, while I never use the lowest. 



Fig. 18 shows a hive-seat with a strap-handle, the kind I 

 prefer; Fig. 19 shows one with hand-hole, which my assistant 

 prefers. 



