MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 191 



Such a queenless hive •will soon become weak, and is liable to be destroy- 

 ed by 'worms or robbers if not watched. Queenless stocks do not defend 

 themselves as others. It is better to unite such stocks with others, un- 

 less queen-cells or young queens are at hand to give them, and afterwards 

 divide again, if increase is desired. Be careful to remove drone combs 

 from the brood nest that time and honey be not wasted in rearing too 

 many. To prevent the swarming fever proceed as described in May, 

 by using the extractor, doubling up, and exchanging combs ; or else 

 give timely access to the honey boxes. At first only a small amount of 

 surplus room should be given each hive. After the bees begin to work 

 well in this, other boxes may be added. If starters of comb or comb ■ 

 foundation be placed in the boxes the bses will more readily commence 

 on them. 



At the commencement of a good honey flow at the last of May, or 

 during this month each hive should have some surplus room if box 

 honey is desired. As the season progresses, and the bees are rapidly 

 working, these may be increased by removing and giving new boxes, by 

 removing from the side to the top, or by lifting one tier of boxes and 

 inserting another, according to the arrangement of the hive and the box 

 prepared. Bees store faster in the lower chamber, and seal up the 

 honey more quickly above. Where one has time, perhaps, the most 

 profitable way to manage for honey is, to combine the use of the extrac- 

 tor and boxes. Build up rapidly in the spring, as described. Then in 

 June — having the hive full of bees — contract the broodnest to six or 

 eight frames — as many as the queen will keep full of brood. On each 

 sido place brood frames full of small boxes, hanging in the hives just 

 as the regular frames. (See "Hives "and "Surplus Honey,") Two 

 on each side are sufficient. If boxes larger than four and one half inches 

 3quare are used, wire framed division boards, with proper openings, must 



