304 
the hive and honey-bee. 
if not before, the larvae of the bee-moth will begin to make 
their appearance, and should be carefully destroyed 
(p. 248). 
May. — As the weather becomes more genial, the 
increase of bees in the colonics is exceedingly rapid, and 
drones, if they have not previously made their appearance, 
begin to issue from the hives. In some locations, the bees 
will now gather much honey, and it will often be advisa- 
ble to give them access to the spare honey receptacles * 
but in some seasons and locations, either from long and 
cold storms, or a deficiency of forage, stocks not well sup- 
plied with honey will exhaust their stores, and perish, 
unless they are fed. In favorable seasons, swarms may be 
expected in this month, even in the Northern States. 
These May swarms often issue near the close of the blos- 
soming of fruit-trees, and just before the later supplies of 
forage, and if the weather becomes suddenly unfavorable, 
may starve, unless they are fed. Even if there is no dan- 
ger of this, they will make so little progress in comb- 
building and breeding, when food is scarce, as to be sui- 
passed by much later swarms. The Apiarian should have 
hives in readiness to receive new swarms, however early 
they may issue, or be formed. If new colonies are to be 
made by artificial processes, a seasonable supply of 
<picens (p. 188) should be reared. 
June. — This is the great swarming month in sill our 
Northern and Middle States. As bees keep up a high 
temperature in their hives, they are by no means so de- 
pendent upon the weather for forwardness, as plants, and 
as most other insects necessarily arc. I have had as early 
swarms in Northern Massachusetts, as in the vicinity of 
Philadelphia. 
* If natural swarms are wanted, the bees should not bo allowed to occupy too 
much surplus storago-room. 
