OCTODER. 441 



The stools of the hives should be cleaned this month, 

 especially those of the stock hives. 



OCTOBER. 



The labour of the bee being now closed, those hives should 

 be examined which it is intended to keep as stock hives ; 

 they should be first weighed, and having ascertained that 

 there is a sufficiency of food to support them during the 

 winter, clean the stool, and fasten them down for the 

 winter. 



The coverings of the hives must be next examined, and 

 should they be found so faulty as to have admitted any 

 rain, the first opportunity must be taken of a fine day to 

 uncover the hive that it may dry. A new covering must 

 then be adapted to the hive, making it completely weather- 

 proof. Wheaten straw is the best material for this purpose. 

 Having contracted the entrance of the hive to about half 

 its original size, the apiarian has now done his duty to his 

 standard hives. The collection of honey takes place this 

 month. To those who suffocate their bees, no instructions 

 are necessary ; but to those who deprive their hives, the 

 following precepts will be found useful. 



A very great risk is run of totally ruining a hive, if too 

 much honey and wax be taken from them. The principal 

 art in the culture of these insects consists in making a 

 modest use of the right of sharing their provisions ; but at 

 the same time to indemnify ourselves for this moderation 

 by the use of all means which tend to the multiplication 

 of the bees. If it be desired to procure annually a certain 

 quantity of honey and wax, it is better to obtain it from a 

 great number of hives which can undergo the process of 

 deprivation with discretion, than from a small number, 

 from which too great a proportion of their treasures might 

 be extracted. 



