310 miner's AMERICAN 



the hives at evening, and turn it up, then spread over 

 it a gauze or millinet covering, or anything that will 

 allow a free circulation of air through it ; then take the 

 other hive, containing the family that it is desired to 

 connect with the first, and place it thereon, giving the 

 bees of neither family an opportunity to escape ; but 

 allowing them sufficient air for respiration. Leave them 

 in this position 48 hours, and at the end of that time, 

 the scent of the two families will have become so blen- 

 ded and interchanged, that they may be united with 

 perfect safety. The process must be by smoke applied 

 to the lower hive, with the use of the rod, after with- 

 drawing the cloth that divides them. 



CHAPTER XXIII, 



THE SEASONS. 



FALL MANAGEMENT. 



The months of October and November are the sea- 

 son when the state of the apiary will require particular 

 attention. The hives should be examined, and those not 

 containing honey enough for its occupants to sustain 

 them during the winter, must be fed. An ordinary 

 swarm or family of bees, will consume from 15 to 20 

 pounds of honey, from October to May. If the winter 



