140 
SPRING. 
(and we have many such in spring,) towards evening, 
even if there is not much wind, they are very apt to 
miss the hive and bottom, and fall to the ground, so 
benumbed with cold, as to be unable to rise again, and 
by the next morning are “ no use” whatever. On the 
other hand, if they are near the earth, with a board as 
described, there is no possibility of their alighting under 
the hive, and if they should come short, and get on the 
ground, they can always creep, long after they are too 
cold to fly, and are able, and often do enter the hive 
without the necessity of using their wings. 
Enough may be saved in one spring, from a few 
hives, in this way, to make a good swarm, which taken 
from several is not perceived; yet, as much profit 
from them might be realized, as if they were a swarm 
by themselves. A little contrivance is all that is need- 
ed to save them. To such as must and will have them 
up away from the earth, I would say, do suggest some 
plan to save this portion of your best and most willing 
servants; have an alighting board project in front of 
the hive at least one foot, or a board long enough to 
reach from the bottom of the hive to the ground, that 
they may get on that, and crawl up to the hive. Do 
you want the inducement? Examine minutely the 
earth about your hives, towards sunset, some day in 
April, when the day has been fair, with some wind, and 
chilly towards night, and you will be astonished at the 
numbers that perish. Most of them will be loaded 
with pollen, proving them martyrs to their own indus- 
try and your negligence. When I see a bench three 
feet high and no wider than the bottom of the hive, 
