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DR. miller's 
a time of full flow, and strengthening of weak colonies generally 
occurs before the heavy flow, or after it. 
Q. What do you think of Mr. Alexander’s spring management 
of weak colonies? What would you advise me to do to save the 
weak colonies in the spring? 
A. Some of the things Mr. Alexander favored, it would be wild 
for others to follow, such as keeping so many colonies in one 
apiary, his special conditions favoring that; but as to the matter 
of weak colonies in spring, he has done the fraternity a real ser- 
vice. Care, however, must be taken. The first time I tried it the 
strong colony was at work inside of ten minutes fighting the weak 
one, and didn’t stop till it made a finish. The colonies must be 
gently handled, so there will be no getting together till the upper 
colony has had time to get the scent of the lower, or else a wire- 
cloth must separate them for two or three days. 
Weight of Bee*. — Q. How many bees in a pound? 
A. A pound of bees may contain from 4,000 to 5,500. 
Q. How much is the dovetailed hive, honey, comb, bees, etc., 
supposed to weigh just before putting them into the cellar? 
A. I want my 8-frame hives to weigh at least 50 pounds. Ten- 
frame hives ought to weigh ten pounds more. 
Willow-Herb.— Q. Is the willow-herb a cultivated plant, and 
would it pay to plant it for bees in Illinois? 
A. Willow-herb is a wild plant found especially abundant in 
the burnt-over timber lands of the northern states. It is found 
in large quantities in Michigan and neighboring states, where it 
yields a very light honey. The honey is said to have a very fine 
flavor. Willow-herb is also known as fireweed. 
Wind-Break. — Q. I have no wind-break or shade at home. 
Would it pay me to move my apiary 60 rods from home and 
have both? 
A. It depends a little upon how much you care yourself for 
shade to work in, and how much, also, for the inconvenience of 
having them so much farther away. If you winter your bees in 
the cellar it would make no difference in wintering. It’s a toss up 
which way you decide. Shade may be supplied by individual 
roofs on the hives. 
Winter-Case*. — Q. With a regular brood-chamber and a win- 
ter-case made of seven-eighths inch lumber, is 1J4 inches on sides 
and ends and 8 inches on top, enough for safe wintering? 
A. Likely it will answer, although a greater space between 
