184
THE HOMESTTBAD MANTIAL.
directly over the breeding apartment, with large openings under each of
the boxes to admit the bees.
Early in the season select a few populous stocks, giving a box to each
and when the bees have commenced in them,
one,
next strongest, being careful not to give too
2:ive
much room
the box to the a start has
till
been made.
Keep
the hives cool by shading from the sun, and
the bees cluster
if
on the outside, when flowers are plenty, ventilate by enlarging the holes and giving more room in the boxes if needed.
TO REMOVE HONEY AND EXPEL BEES.
Near sunset remove the cap and raise the end of the box just enough blow under a little smoke, when the bees will leave the holes, which may be covered with blocks or an empty box turned bottom up. Set the full boxes right side up on strips upon the stand, so that they shall be three-eighths of an inch from the board, and five or six inches from the to
entrance of the hive.
Gently rap on the boxes until the bees begin to
Being
leave in good earnest for the hive.
filled
with honey there
danger of their stinging from the rough treatment received.
ming
morning
if
Should some remain in the boxes they the
weather
is
fine,
may be
but must be removed
the bees begin carrying the honey into the hive.
may
no
of those that enter will give notice to the others of their position
near their home. till
is
The humleft
early, lest
If preferred, the boxes
be placed upon their sides in a tight box or barrel, and a thin cloth
thrown over the cloth,
and
Seeing the light, the bees will creep up on the
top.
this be turned over occasionally all except a
will find their
way back
WHEN AND HOW Every populous
few young ones
to the hive.
TO
SWARM THE
BEES.
from which a nucleus has been formed, should is favorable, as soon as the queen in the nucleus has become fertile. This is usually in from six to ten days after inserting the queen-cell, and is readily determined by examining the be swarmed,
comb
if
for eggs.
stock,
the weather
We
now, unless the yield of honey
is
very abundant,