[Footnote 13: I have exercised great care, and incurred considerable expense, in giving drawings with measurements and directions for constructing Controllable Hives, glass boxes, etc., that such of my readers as wish may be able to construct the hives and manage bees according to the new system as taught in this work. I have no time or desire to establish a business in the manufacture of hives, but if any of my readers want a full sized Controllable Hive, ready for a swarm of bees, the better to enable them to make the Controllable Hive, I will furnish them. Price eight dollars. In no case will I furnish more than one to the same address. The hive is not patent, so any one can manufacture and use as many as they wish. They can make them at their home, especially in the winter season, much cheaper than I can furnish them.] In the construction of hives use the best dry pine lumber, free from Haws or cracks, and put on a good coat of paint to protect from the weather. As the hives are to remain in the open air the year round, the best of lumber is required, and that to be well protected with a heavy coat of the most durable paint. Make close-fitting joints and nail thoroughly. These hives, if properly constructed of sound lumber, will last many years. I have had the same hive on one stand incessantly for six years, and at the end of that time it is as good, to all appearances, as when first put there. All who desire to construct Controllable Hives, and adopt the plan of bee management recommended in this book, can do so freely, as there is no patent on the hive, or any of its parts or fixtures. [Illustration] CHAPTER XIX. MONTHLY DUTIES. THE successful management and care of bees requires forethought and preparation for all labor and care bestowed upon them, if we desire to bestow it at the proper time, and in the most judicious manner. I have in this chapter given only brief hints as to the work to be performed. Such of my readers as are located in a climate essentially differing from that of the New England States, will perceive the necessity of varying their management to correspond with the difference in climate, etc. 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.