bee-keeper's calendar. 465 



can easily remove any surplus in the Spring. If the aggre- 

 gate resources of the colonies are sufficient, those which 

 have not enough, may be supplied from those having a su- 

 perabundance. In some cases the bee-keeper may prefer, 

 by uniting several destitute stocks, to save the labor and ex- 

 pense of feeding, (p. 315.) Great caution will still be ne- 

 nessary to guard against robbing, but if there are no feeble, 

 queenless, or impoverished stocks, the bees, unless tempted 

 by improper management, will seldom rob each other. 



October. — Forage is now almost entirely exhausted in 

 most localities, and colonies which are too light should be 

 fed early in this month. If feeding is begun too early, in 

 seasons when late forage is abundant, there will be a great 

 waste of honey. In this month, at the very latest, the exact 

 condition of every stock should be known, and if any are 

 found in a queenless condition, they should be broken up. 

 Small colonies should be united to others, and all the hives 

 put into proper condition for wintering. Some full honey- 

 combs should be put in the center of the hivCj and holes, for 

 easy intercommunication, be made in the combs ; (pp. 323- 

 4,). Since putting to press the remarks on wintering bees, 

 I have succeeded in devising a very simple, cheap and effi- 

 cient method, by which in new frames, the requisite winter 

 passages will be left by the bees, so that movable frames 

 may be safely used, without the necessity of opening the 

 hives to make the holes, (p. 325.) 



In describing the advantages of punk-smoke, for subduing 

 bees, it ought to have been stated that no utensil of any kind 

 will be needed for using it ; the Apiarian being able to blow 

 the smoke upon the bees with his mouth better than in any 

 other way. I find that the punk from hard wood is the best. 



Hives not made of doubled materials, if they are to 

 winter out of doors, should be protected according to the 



