86 
On Rational Bee-Keeping, 
to the large swarm of black bees, a strong hive 
of Italians will, in a short time, be the result, 
and from the hive thus formed, swarms may 
afterwards be made.^ Italians, moreover, or a 
cross breed, are far more active than the black 
bees, and their produce is very nearly double. 
In visiting hives, whether in autumn, during 
the second fortnight of October, or in spring, 
during the second fortnight of February, or the 
first fortnight of March, care should be taken not 
to abuse the right of possession by depriving 
the bees of too much honey ; for it is necessary 
that a hive, to be in good condition, should 
contain at least 20 lbs. of honey at the end 
of October — that is to say, in ordinary seasons. 
In the last three years, 1871, 1872, and 1873, 
this quantity has not been sufficient to provide 
for the wants of strong stocks. 
If a hive is in good condition in the spring, 
and still contains honey, that only which is 
* A swarm made in 1869, from a single piece of comb contain- 
ing Italian brood, and put at eleven o’clock a.m. in the place of 
a hive of black bees, gave me in 1870 a fine swarm and 20 lbs. 
of honey. The same hive gave me in 1871 two strong swarms 
and 50 lbs. of honey. The swarm of 1870 produced 30 lbs. of 
honey. 
