172 
SUMMER. 
CHAPTER XI. 
PUTTING ON AND TAKING OFF BOSES. 
Putting on boxes may be considered a duty inter- 
mediate between spring and summer management. I 
cannot recommend putting them on as early as the 
last of April, or first of May, in ordinary circumstan- 
ces. It is possible to find a case that it would be best. 
But before the hive is full of bees it is generally use • 
less, very likely a disadvantage, by allowing a portion 
of animal heat to escape that is needed in the hive to 
mature the brood. Also, moisture may accumulate 
until the inside moulds, &c. Some experience and 
judgment is necessary to know about what time 
boxes are needed. That boxes are needed at the 
proper season, I think I shall not need an argument 
to convince any one, in the present day. Bee-keepers 
have generally discarded the barbarous practice ol 
killing the bees to obtain the honey. Many of them 
have learned that a good swarm will store sufficient 
honey for winter, besides several dollars worth as 
profit in boxes. 
ADVANTAGE OF THE PATENT VENDER. 
Here is where the patent vender has taken the ad- 
vantage of our ignorance, by pretending that no other 
hive but his ever obtained such quantities , or so pure in 
quality. 
TIME OF PUTTING ON RULE. 
It is probable a great many readers will need the 
necessary observation to tell precisely when the hive 
