67 
As soon as the white clover gets well in blossom, the 
the regulator should be raised up, giving a full-sized 
entrance ; a suitable ventilation now should be given 
them, remembering that all honey, as the bees gather 
it from the flowers, has more or less water in it, which 
ought to be evaporated before the bees seal it over. A 
well ventilated hive assists them much in this respect. 
Winters, and springs following a wet season, bees are 
very apt to die in great numbers ; and in the majority 
of cases it is traceable to honey that has been soured 
in the cells, in consequence of being sealed over before 
the water is evaporated. Such honey will produce 
dysentery, and frequently death, to whole colonies. 
Where artificial swarming is resorted to, this month, 
in some localities and seasons, is a suitable time. This 
will depend entirely upon the condition of the swarm, 
and the amount of honey the flowers are yielding, with 
a fair prospect of future stores. (See Artificial Swarm- 
ing.) Where bees are allowed to swarm naturally, 
they must be watched occasionally during the middle of 
the day, as they usually swarm between the hours of 
ten and three. Hives should always be in readiness at 
this season of the year, for you may want them at any 
time. A loose board cover, large enough to project 
five or six inches over the top of the hive all round, 
will give ample protection, and is better than any bee- 
house ever invented. These covers should be placed 
over them when first placed out in the spring ; a small 
block of wOod, or something to give an elevation to the 
front part of the cover, so that the water will run off 
the back part of the hive, will be advisable. This will 
also protect them against the hot sun, and, taken in 
connection with a good hive, is the best bee-house in 
the world, the shade of a tree excepted. 
