226 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



that the queen is there, and they will not leave her, 

 the box should then be returned, when she will 

 usually descend into the hive in a few hours. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



MANAGEMENT OF HONEY. 

 PUTTING ON HONEY BOXES. 



I have found the best plan is to defer putting the 

 surplus honey boxes in until the hive is full of bees, 

 the combs well covered with bees, and the spaces 

 between the combs well filled clear down to the 

 bottom of the hive ; also be careful to see that they 

 are gathering honey plentifully. They will fill the 

 lower or main part of the hive before ascending to 

 the boxes; and should they remain in long before 

 they are wanted, they become foul from the moisture 

 generated by the breath of the bees. We generally 

 put our boxes on a few days after the white clover 

 blooms; on the strong hives first, and on others as 

 they seem to require them, until all are supplied. 

 When full boxes are removed empty ones should be 

 put in their places, if they are obtaining honey plen- 

 tifully ; but if a small quantity only is being gathered, 

 it is best to defer putting any boxes in until it again 

 becomes plenty. 



TAKING OFF SURPLUS HONEY. 



As soon as boxes arc full, and the honey nicely 

 capped, they should be taken off. Every day they 



