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the cellar, or other wintering structure and set on the 
summer stand ; if, however, occasional freezing occurs, 
the moisture-absorbing material should remain in the 
hive. Continue the flour feeding as a substitute for 
pollen. Robbing will be attempted, and must be 
guarded against, by contracting the entrance. 
April. — If bees were not removed the previous 
month, the change must be made now. Remove the 
moisture-absorbing material from the top of the frames, 
and cover the openings in the tops, to retain the heat 
necessary for breeding. In this month, feeding will 
frequently become necessary in many colonies, as the 
activity of the bees and rapidly maturing brood in- 
creases the demand for honey ; and colonies that are 
deficient in honey must be fed as regularly as horses 
and cattle, or the whole colony may die of starvation. 
The fact that winter is over and that the bees are flying 
briskly is not an indication that they obtain their sup- 
plies outside ; they must wait until flowers appear. The 
supply of rye meal must be continued until the bees 
can obtain it abroad, which is ordinarily in this month. 
If any hive needs cleaning or repairing, remove the 
combs and bees to a new hive, cut out all drone-comb, 
unless a large number of pure Italian drones are desi- 
red. Ascertain the exact condition of every colony, 
whether queenless or not. (See “Loss of Queen.”) 
Unite weak and queenless colonies. Clean the bottom- 
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