MAY JUNE. 437 



new hives required for his approaching swarms. Those 

 intended for the second swarms ought to be one-quarter 

 less in size than those intende I for the first. Divest the 

 interior of the hives of all projecting straws, or other objects 

 which impede the labour of the bee. 



Considerable robberies take place this month amongst 

 the bees. The utmost vigilance is necessary on the part 

 of the proprietor to discover if any of the hives be attacked : 

 should he find this to be the case, follow the instructions 

 given in Chap. XI. 



Keep a vigilant eye on the mother wasp, which at this 

 time makes its appearance in the gardens ; the destruction 

 of a single one deprives the bees of a host of enemies. 



Should any hive appear to be inactive, fail not to examine 

 it. The cause may be ascertained in time to apply the 

 remedy; but if delayed, the destruction of the hive may 

 be the consequence. 



MAY. 



This is one of the busiest months in the year for the 

 apiarian. If the bees lie out in clusters, and present the 

 other signs of swarming, let him watch from ten in the 

 morning until three p.m. Artificial swarms may now be 

 made with certainty of success. This is also the season for 

 the transferring of hives, which must be effected imme- 

 diately after the first swarm has departed. 



The apiary must now be kept particularly clean ; vermin 

 now abound, and a little attention on the part of the bee- 

 master will save perhaps many of the hives towards the 

 latter part of the year. No danger of famine now exists, 

 but particular attention must be paid to resist the depreda- 

 tions of the different enemies which at this time begin their 

 attack. 



JUNE. 



In this country swarms may still be expected, and some- 



