156 
SPRING. 
white clover appears ; but if the spring is favorable, 
there is but little danger, unless they are robbed. If 
you take the necessary care about worms, you will 
know which are light, and which heavy, unless your 
hives are suspended: even then, it is a duty to know 
their true condition, in this respect. This is another 
advantage of the simple hive ; merely raising one edge 
to destroy worms, tells you something about the 
honey on hand. To be very exact, the hive should 
be weighed when ready for the bees, and the weight 
marked on it ; by weighing at any time after, tells at 
once within a few pounds of what honey there is on 
hand. Some allowance must be made for the age of 
the combs, the quantity of brood, &c. . It is wrong to 
begin to feed without being prepared to continue to 
do so, as the supply must be kept up till honey is 
abundant. 
HOW LONG IT WILL DO TO WAIT BEFORE FEEDING. 
If it is wished to wait as long as possible, and not 
lose the bees, a test will be necessary to decide how 
long it will do to delay feeding. In this case, strict 
attention will be necessary * they will need examination 
every morning. If a light tap on the hive is answered 
by a brisk, lively buzzing, they are not suffering yet ; 
but if no answer is returned to your inquiry, it indi- 
cates a want of strength. Extreme destitution destroys 
all disposition to repel an attack. Sometimes a part 
of the bees will be too weak to remain among the 
combs, and will be lying on the bottom, and some few 
