CALENDAR. 
631 
put it into the feed-hole, carefully closing every 
opening, to prevent any leak of heated air. Semi- 
starved bees, huddled together, cannot move to take 
food in the face of cold ; such must be carried to a 
w’arm room, and kept in the dark, until they have 
fed up. 
Snow having fallen, consult page 533. 
Entrances may be examined the first fine day after 
a cold spell (page 532). 
Insectivorous Birds, if troublesome, should be kept 
from the alighting-board by wire net (page 578). 
Hives lying empty should now be made ready 
for the future season ; clean, repair, and improve. 
These, if sound and of good pattern, when thoroughly 
overhauled and repainted are better than new, as 
their joints are not likely to open in the sun. Stand 
legs in saucers of crude carbolic acid ; this will 
be absorbed, and rotting be effectually prevented 
(page 1 19). 
Section-crates may be prepared, the section-boxes 
containing worked combs arranged, and in others, 
even thus early, the foundation may be fixed ; although 
the wax will harden slightly, the warmth of the hive 
will soon render it plastic. 
Make all possible preparation for the busier time, 
which will bring with it more than sufficient employ- 
ment. 
February. 
All the hints for last month (which see) still apply, 
especially those referring to the needs of the bees. 
Food . — If the weather be so warm as to induce the 
