Produced by Roger Frank A MANUAL OR AN EASY METHOD OF MANAGING BEES, IN THE MOST PROFITABLE MANNER TO THEIR OWNER, WITH INFALLIBLE RULES TO PREVENT THEIR DESTRUCTION BY THE MOTH. BY JOHN M. WEEKS, Of Salisbury, Vt. SECOND EDITION. MIDDLEBURY: ELAM R. JEWETT, PRINTER. 1837. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1836. By John M. Weeks, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Vermont. PREFACE. It appears to the writer of the following pages, that a work of this description is much needed in our country. The cultivation of the bee (Apis Mellifica) has been too long neglected in most parts of the United States. This general neglect has unquestionably originated from the fact, that the European enemy to the bees, called the moth, has found its way into this country, and has located and naturalized itself here; and has made so much havoc among the bees, that many districts have entirely abandoned their cultivation. Many Apiarians, and men of the highest literary attainments, as well as experience, have nearly exhausted their patience, in examining the peculiar nature and habits of this insect; and have tried various experiments to devise some means of preventing its depredations. But, after all that has been done, the spoiler moves onward with little molestation, and very few of our citizens are willing to engage in the enterprize of cultivating this most useful and profitable of all insects, the honey-bee. The following work is comprised in a set of plain, concise rules, by which, if strictly adhered to and practised, any person, properly situated, may cultivate bees, and avail himself of all the benefits of their labors. If the Apiarian manages strictly in accordance with the following rules, the author feels confident that no colony will ever materially suffer by the moth, or will ever be destroyed by them. The author is aware of the numerous treatises published on this subject; but they appear to him, for the most part, to be the result not so much of experience as of vague and conjectural speculation, and not sufficiently embodying what is practical and useful. This work is intended as an accompaniment to the Vermont hive, and will be found to be the result of observation and experience, and it is thought comprises all that is necessary to make a skilful Apiarian. THE AUTHOR. INDEX CHAPTER Rule I. On the construction of the hive, 5 Rule II. On swarming and hiving, 11 Rule III. On ventilating, 23 Rule IV. On preventing robberies, 24 Rule V. On equalizing colonies, by doubling, trebling, &c, 26 Rule VI. On removing honey, 30 Rule VII. The method of compelling swarms to make extra Queens, and keep them for the use of their owner, 33