THE HONEY BEE IN NEW ZEALAND. 
39 
ratus as has been described above, the stillness that reigns 
in the hive indicates that the bees are in a state of insensi¬ 
bility, the hive may then be turned up for any necessary 
operations. If honey is wanted, choose the side combs, so 
as not to interfere with the brood in the centre, and be 
moderate. Replace the violated hive carefully, and the 
bees will soon recover from their state of partial intoxica¬ 
tion, and set to work to repair the ravages that have been 
made in their stores. 
We have always been in the habit, when taking honey, 
by cutting out the comb, to operate after sundown; but 
Mr. Cotton says, the time fit for the operation, should be 
the middle of a sunshiny calm day, between eleven and 
twelve, when the number of workeis who are abioad is 
greatest; you will so be in less danger of crushing a 
number of bees as you cut out the combs ; besides, if it is 
later, such bees as may be daubed with honey will not 
have time to get themselves set to rights by their fellows. 
In very hot weather take your honey still earlier in the 
day ; for the noontide heat makes the wax so soft, that it 
is difficult to handle the combs without spoiling them. A 
damp, cold day, or one when showers may be expected, 
should not be chosen, as those bees which fall to the 
ground will be chilled; but some of my pupils may say, 
how am I to know when my bees have honey to spare ? 
If they are in hives of the candle-box construction, you 
cannot look in upon them as you may m properly made 
boxes, which are furnished with window s. u you a ^ e 
their weight to guide you. It is a very good p an o 
weigh each of your hives and bottom boards before you 
put bees into them. Mark the weight on the outside, an 
then simple subtraction will at any line ^ive yea 6 
weight of the contents. Even if yon have not as yet te _ e 
this precaution, you may give a tolerable guess by It g 
it a little in your hand, bottom board and all, just bo o e 
autumn and -inter, -hen the breeding 
over the weight of the box will give you the actual «e„ 
of honey andfomb more nearly than in W and "n 
In the latter seasons, a great part of a heavy lnve is tilled 
with, brood. 
