MONTHLY MANAGEMENT. 195 



During the honey drought in this month, or whenever the bees 

 cease to find honey in the fields, they are much more dimcult to handle 

 and much more given to robbing than at any other season. In opening 

 or removing boxes be as gentle as possible, and always smoke well 

 before opening a hive. Keep all stocks strong. If any seems weak 

 build it up by inserting from one able to spare it, a comb or two of 

 hatching brood. Keep the entrances contracted so as to prevent robbing. 

 If it has fairly commenced stop it as recommended under " Robbing. ' 

 Leave no sweets or bits of comb exposed. 



If box honey is placed in a cool dry cellar there is less danger from 

 hatching worms, and less yet if the combs are set on a shelf an inch or 

 two apart, so as to permit the free circulation of air around them. 



SEPTEMBER. 



This month's operations are very important in preparing hives lor 

 winter. Unsealed late honey is generally poor winter food for bees 

 Hence if close extracting be continued late there is always danger, un- 

 less full sealed combs have been set away for them, or unless this be 

 extracted and good sugar syrup be given as recommenced in the chapter 

 on "Wintering." But where many fall flowers abound the main sur- 

 plus of the year is sometimes gathered this month. Hence prompt at 

 tention should be given. To gather this fall honey the extractor is almost 

 invaluable; for it will be not be stored in boxes when comb must be 

 built anything like so rapidly as in the brood nest, which instinct 

 teaches them must be filled now for winter. 



This, like August, is a good time to introduce Italian queens or others 

 in order to secure new brood, Avhich is, as wo believe, no less important 

 with bees than other livo stock. 



no queenless stocks beyonJ this month, unless queens are ex- 



