I shall repeat some of the statements already made, in order to impress them more thoroughly upon the bee keeper. The object of this chapter is to bring to the mind of the bee keeper the more important duties required in the successful use of the system recommended in this work.
JANUARY.
We will commence with January as it is the first month in the year.
In this month construct hives, glass honey boxes, etc. Give the new hives a good coat of paint. They will last longer, and as they are to remain out of doors the year around, it is very essential that they be preserved against the weather. A good, heavy coat of paint, spread over good lumber, will prevent cracking and warping. Employ the time, in this month of comparative leisure, in getting everything in readiness for the approaching honey season.
FEBRUARY.
February like January is not a busy month with bees in the Northern States, neither do they require much care. If not finished last month, continue the work of January by making hives, glass honey boxes, and all fixtures required in the management of the bees in the coming season. In some sections bees will fly briskly the last of the month. Clear away the snow from the foot of the hives at that time. Set out meal feed for the bees, provided they fly briskly.
MARCH.
At the commencement of this month, clear the snow away from the front of hives; raise the hives up on blocks at the corners, remove the bottom board under the brood section, and brush out all accumulations, which might invite the bee moth to deposit her eggs, if suffered to remain through the summer. This accomplished, set the hive back in its place. The first day that the bees fly, set out the meal as heretofore directed. Commence to feed liquid feed as early as the bees will take it. Feed regularly every day, or every other day, at evening. When you commence to feed, remove the packing from the cap, and also take off the ventilator. The space over the comb frames not covered with the feeder, cover with a small honey board. Let the packing remain at the sides until you have put on the side boxes, or until some time in May, as it keeps the brood chamber warm, which is essential in forwarding breeding. Open a small portion of the upper entrance (about one-third) and keep the passage open at the bottom, the same as during the winter.
APRIL.
Early in April—the first warm, sunny day—examine your stocks, and see if they have fertile, laying queens. If the queen is all right, there will be eggs and brood in the brood cells. Don't keep the hives open any longer than is necessary, as the cold air might chill the brood. At this time, if some stocks have a large amount of honey in the combs of the brood section, exchange such with some stock that has but little; as it is a disadvantage to have too-much sealed honey in the brood combs in the spring. It sometimes happens that all the brood combs will be filled with sealed honey nearly down to the bottom, leaving but a very small place en two or three combs near the bottom for breeding purposes. In such cases, take out two or three combs, and exchange with other stocks having empty combs, leaving in each such as have brood and eggs, in every stock. Don't take out any bees. In this manner equalize your stocks, and all will be benefited. If any stocks are found queenless, or with diseased or worthless queens, take means to furnish them with a fertile, laying queen, as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep the entrances to such hives contracted very small, so but very few bees can pass at one time, to prevent attacks from robbers. Queenless stocks, or those which have diseased or drone-laying queens, will not resist an attack from robber bees with as much vigor as a stock having a fertile and prolific queen.