518 BEE-KEEPER'S CALENDAR. 



nothing, and procrastinating nothing to a more convenient 

 season ; for, while bees do not require a large amount of 

 attention, in proportion to the profits yielded by them, they 

 mitsf have it at the proper time and in the right way. Those 

 who complain of their unprofltablcness, are often as much 

 to blame as a farmer who neglects to take care of his stock, 

 or to gather his crops, and then denounces his employment 

 as yielding only a scanty return on a large investment of 

 capital and labor. 



In Short. 



891. Spring. — Keep hives warm, give plenty of food, 

 help weak colonies, look out for robbers, remove drone-, 

 comb, prepare for queen-breeding, and for the honey crop. 



892. Summer. — Watch for swarms ; and make divisions, 

 if increase is wanted. Give sufficient storage-room. Give 

 additional ventilation if needed. Whenever the crop is 

 over, remove the surplus. 



893. Fall. — Look out for robbers, and for moths on 

 unoccupied combs. See tliat all hives have sufficient stores 

 for Winter, and unite worthless colonies to others. 



894. Winter. — For out of doors, pack absorbents in 

 upper story, removing air-tight quilts. Shelter as much as 

 possible from winds. Leave the bees quiet in cold weather, 

 and see that they have a flight in warm weather. Do not 

 be confident of safe wintering till March is over. Tlien 

 proportionate the room to tin; strength of the colony. Fcr 

 cellar wintering, take the bees in, after a warm day, leave 

 them quiet, in the dark, with an even temperature ; take 

 them out on a warm day, and decrease the brood-chamber 

 to suit the strength of the colonies. 



