protection to bees in severe winters.

The seeds of con

sumption, and other diseases of the human frame, have been sometimes sown at a date more ancient than we think about; and so the "bad luck" of many bee-keepers in the summer time could be traced to their bad management during the winter time. Warmth as well as dryness for bees in winter is of prime importance in every apiary in which profit is sought.

If hives be not cosily covered in autumn, the honey in them soon candies or crystallises; and after this crystallisation takes place, the honey does not last so long, that is to say, less of liquid honey serves a hive than when it is in a candied state.

About the end of September, when all stocks have received some additional bees, and feeding if necessary, they should be neatly plastered to their boards with mortar mixed with cow-dung, and then covered up as has now been described. The doors of the hives are contracted at this time, as has been mentioned elsewhere. No more attention is necessary for five or six months, save that of keeping the bees inside their hives when snow is on the ground. But here let us say that bees breathe and require fresh air in winter as well as in summer, and hence care and thoughtfulness are required in closing their doors to keep them in. Bees in a wooden hive soon perish if their door be closely shut. Bees in straw hives will be suffocated too if their doors are closely shut for some time, especially if their hives have been crowded in autumn by the addition of extra swarms. Forgetful and inexperienced people would do well to use fly-proof wire or perforated zinc for keeping bees inside their hives while snow is on the ground. And during long storms, the lives of very weak hives may be preserved by taking

them indoors-that is to say, into a room of a dwellinghouse. Can bees be wintered beneath the ground? We have never tried to winter them there, but it has been tried in America, where it was found that, though they lived there, they consumed as much honey below as they did above ground. The dampness of the air below ground, as might be expected, rotted their combs.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

WHEN SHOULD HIVES BE PURCHASED?

SOME One who has no bees may have condescended to read thus far in hopes of finding information as to the best time to commence bee-keeping. We think September is the best time to purchase hives for stock, for then almost every bee-keeper has some to part with-viz., those which he has marked for honey. If he can get the value of the honey-hives and boards he will readily sell them, and thus save himself the trouble of running and selling the honey. The taking of honey and wax is to us the most disagreeable thing in bee-keeping, and we would much rather sell our hives than put them down for honey. This month is the cheapest time, too; for hives that have weathered the winter storms are higher in price, because all danger is over, and they are nearer the time of multiplying their numbers. A hive before winter worth 20s., is worth 30s. in spring if all has gone on well in it. Beekeeping can be commenced with May or June swarms, or in fact at any time. We sell our first swarms, put in good new straw hives with boards, for 25s. each; without hives and boards, for 21s. each. Second swarms are 5s.

WHEN SHOULD HIVES BE PURCHASED?

193

each less in price. Those who can buy hives in their own neighbourhood should commence with them, and those who cannot buy at home should purchase of some respectable man elsewhere, and have them carefully transmitted.

THE END.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, EDINBURGH.