FALL MANAGEMENT. 
313 
try the experiment of uniting two or more. The 
next spring when they commenced work such double 
stocks promised much ; but when the swarming season 
arrived, the single swarms, such as were good and had 
just about bees enough, were in the best condition, in 
ordinary seasons. Whether this was owing to the 
circumstance of there being already bees enough that 
were beginning to crowd and interfere with each 
other s labors, and less brood raised in consequence, 
or to some other reason, I cannot say. I have often 
noticed, (as others have), that stocks which have cast 
no swarms, are no better the next spring than others. 
The same cause might operate in both cases. There- 
fore it would appear unnecessary to unite two or more 
good swarms , unless it is to spare our feelings in de- 
stroying the bees. The two extremes may generally 
be avoided, and not have too many or too few bees. 
SEASON FOR OPERATING. 
The season for operating is, generally, when all the 
brood has matured and left the cells. The exceptions 
are when there are not bees enough to protect the 
stores ; it may then be necessary, immediately after 
the failure of honey. 
Col. H. K. Oliver, of Salem, Mass., is said to be the 
inventor of the fumigator, an instrument to burn 
fungus ( puff-ball ). By the aid of this the smoke is 
blown in the hive, paralyzing the bees in a few 
minutes; when they fall to the bottom, apparently 
dead, but will recover in a few minutes, on receiving 
fresh air. 
14 
