and Us Economic Management. 83 



w 



CHAPTER XIII. 

 GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 



HILE it is my intention to go through twelve months' 

 management, I shall begin with the 



AUTUMN, 



as everything depends upon proper treatment at this period. 



If the apiarist keeps only young queens he wUl have no need to 

 stimulate the hive for the production of young bees at this time ; 

 while the o?ily reliable stimulation for early spring breeding is 

 secured by correct autumn preparation. If any colony has not 

 sufficient food to last tUl the following April, give all it wants 

 rapidly before the end of September. Among novices there is 

 much uncertainty as to the quantity required to store a colony 

 for winter, but not less than six square feet of sealed comb 

 (including both sides) should be provided ; if more, so much the 

 better. (See Feeders and Feeding.) 



Unite Stocks of doubtful Strength. 



As mentioned elsewhere, all weak colonies must be united 

 before feeding takes place ; and not simply weak lots, but others 

 about which there is the slightest doubt as to them coming through 

 all right The reader will ask : " How are those others constituted 

 about which there can be any doubt, other than really weak stocks? " 

 In the first place I should say those which have old, or otherwise 

 unsatis&ctory queens ; those which through any oversight may 



