284 LOSS OF THE QUEBIf. 



possession of a healthy queen, I give them combs containing 

 maturing brood, in the mannner already described. In short, 

 I ascertain, at the opening of the season, the exact condition 

 of all my stocks, and apply the necessary remedies, giving to 

 some, maturing brood, to others honey, and breaking up all 

 whose condition demands it. If, however, the colonies were 

 not multiplied too rapidly, and proper care was taken to 

 winter none but strong slocks, they will need but little assis- 

 tance in the Spring ; and nearly all will show indubitable 

 signs of health and vigor. 



I strongly advise every one who uses my hives, to give 

 them all a most thorough over-hauling and cleansing, as soon 

 as the bees begin to work in the Spring. The bees of any 

 stock may, with their combs, be transferred in a few minutes, 

 to a clean hive ; and their own hives thoroughly cleansed, 

 and given to another transferred stock ; in this way, with one 

 spare hive, all may be lodged in habitations from which every 

 speck of dirt has been removed. Hives thus treated, can by 

 no possibility, harbor any of the eggs or larvEB of the moth, 

 and may be made perfectly free from the least smell of must 

 or mould, or anything offensive to the delicate senses of the 

 bees. 



In making this thorough cleansing, the Apiarian will learn 

 the exact condition of each stock, and know which have 

 spare honey, and which require food : in short, which are in 

 need of help in any respect, and which have the requisite 

 strength to lend a helping hand to others. If any hive need 

 repairs, it may be put in perfect order, before being used 

 again. Hives thus managed, if the roofs and outside covers' 

 are occasionally re-painted, will last for generations, and will 

 be found cheaper, in the long run, than any other kind. 



But I beg pardon, for making this suggestion, of the Genius of 

 American cheapness, who so kindly presides over so many of 



