bee-keeper’s calendar. 
363 
board should be again attended to, as soon as the bees 
aie actively on the wing, and, if any hives are suspiciously 
light, sugar-candy (p. 272) should be given them. Strong 
colonies will now begin to breed considerably, but nothing 
should be done to excite them to premature activity. 
See that the bees are supplied with water (,p. 344 ). 
March. In our Northern States, the inhospitable 
leign of Winter still continues, and the directions given 
for the two previous months are applicable to this! If 
there should be a pleasant day, when bees are able to fly 
briskly, seize the opportunity to remove the covers 
(p. 301) ; carefully clean out the hives (p. 221), and learn 
the exact condition of every colony. See that your bees 
have water (p. 344), and are well supplied with rye-flour 
(p. 84). In this month, weak stocks commonly begin to 
breed, while strong ones increase quite rapidly. If the 
weather is favorable, colonies which have been kept in a 
special W inter depository, may now be put upon their 
proper stands (p. 30 1 ). As soon as severe Winter weather 
is over, it will be necessary to shut off all upward ventila- 
tion. 
April. — Bees will ordinarily begin to gather much 
pollen in this month, and sometimes considerable honey. 
As brood is now very rapidly maturing, there is a largely 
increased demand for honey, and great care should” be 
taken to prevent the bees from suffering for want of 
food. If the supplies are at all deficient, breeding will be 
checked, even if much of the brood does not perish, or the 
whole colony die of starvation. If the weather is pro- 
pitious, feeding to promote a more rapid increase of young 
(p. 268) may now be commenced. Feeble colonies must 
now be reinforced (p. 221 ), and should the weather con- 
tinue cold for several days at a time, the bees ought to 
be supplied with water (p. 344) in their hives. In April. 
