Whenever you have occasion to perform any operation among your Bees, be provided with every requisite material, implement, &c. Have not any thing to seek for, much less to get made, at the moment it is wanted: that moment may perhaps be a critical one.
In September unite the Bees of poor stocks to rich ones; and now, or in March, transfer stocks from straw-hives into boxes.
Previously to withdrawing the tin-divider, for the purpose of opening the communication into an end-box, take off the end-box and dress its inside with a little liquid honey; this will bring the Bees into it, when, but for the honey, they would perhaps refuse to enter it; and at that time close the ventilation. It is wrong to ventilate empty boxes, because it drives the Bees into the pavilion: and it is a fact, that they will swarm from the pavilion, rather than take possession of an empty end-box, if its temperature be, and be kept, disagreeably cold, by having the ventilation open at the very time it should be carefully closed. This will both explain and remedy the difficulty, that some apiarians complain of having experienced, in getting their Bees to take possession of an empty box; it will also account for swarms sometimes leaving the pavilion when there is no want of room: the fact is—that the temperature of that room is not agreeable to them: but it is owing to the mismanagement of the apiator that it is otherwise than agreeable.
Whenever a box is taken off, be careful to open the perforations in the cylinder-ventilator, many of which will be found sealed up with propolis. These perforations may be cleared at any time, by introducing a piece of wire with a sharpened point, turned so as to pick out the propolis; but they are most effectually opened when a box is off.
Towards the latter end of November, or earlier, if the weather be inclement and severe, remove your Bee-boxes to their winter situation: this should be dry, quiet, cool, and dark, and place your boxes in it so that they may front towards the north or north-east.
Guard and close the entrance with a piece of fine wire-cloth, of Lariviere's patent tin, or of perforated zinc, (which is the best, on account of its not corroding) made fast to the box, either of which will confine the Bees within their domicil, admit plenty of fresh air, and keep out inimical intruders. Thus prepared for winter, having every tin and block in its proper place, disturb your Bees as little as possible, and, come winter as it may, they will pass it in that state of semi-insensibility, or torpor, which nature, or with reverence let me rather say—nature's God has appointed for them.
Towards the end of February, or as soon as vegetation begins to make its appearance, take your boxes from their winter to their summer stands, and commence another course of attentions, observations, and humane management, similar to that herein directed and explained. And, though cases may arise, and difficulties occur in the course of your practice, for the remedying of which no specific directions are, or can be, here given, your own experience and progressive improvement in the pleasing science of Bee-management, will lead you to adopt the proper mode of treating the former, and the proper means for surmounting the latter.
THE END.
H. AND J. LEACH, PRINTERS, WISBECH.