bke-keepee's calendar. 511 



and in gome locations they gattier pollen (263). The 

 bottom-board should be cleaned of the dead bees and other 

 rubbish (663) that sometimes obstruct the entrance, and 

 prevent the bees from flying out ; as their worry in finding 

 themselves imprisoned does them much harm. If any hives 

 are suspiciously light, food (607) should be given them ; 

 this only in mild climates. 



Strong colonies will now begin to breed slightly, but 

 nothing should be done to excite them to premature activity. 



881. March. — In our Northern States, the inhospitable 

 reign of Winter still continues, and the directions given for 

 the two previous months are applicable to this. If there 

 should be a pleasant day, when bees are able to fly briskly, 

 seize the opportunity to remove the covers (636) ; care- 

 fully clean out the hives (663), and learn the exact condi- 

 tion of every colony. See that your bees have water 

 (271), and are well suppUed with rye-flour (265). In 

 this month, weak colonies commonly begin to breed, while 

 strong ones increase quite rapidly. 



If the "Winter has been very severe, this month is the 

 most destructive to unhealthy bees. The hives of dead colo- 

 nies should be throroughly cleaned, and closed tightly to 

 keep robbers (664=) out, or they would carry off what 

 honey may remain in them. Spring dwindling (659) should 

 be guarded against by shutting off all upward ventilation 

 (352), and reducing the space in the brood-chamber (349) 

 to the number of combs actually occupied by the bees. The 

 entrance of the hives, especially of the weak colonies, should 

 also be narrowed (348). 



If the weather is favorable, colonies which have been 

 kept in a special Winter depository, may now be put upon 

 their proper stands. 



The time of removal from cellars (646) must depend 

 altogether on the locality. Dr. C. C. Miller -removes his 

 bees when the first maple tree blooms. In Canada, they are 



