BEES. Fi. 
better. Division boards, drone traps (fig. 6), bee escapes (figs. 7 
and 8), feeders (figs. 14, 15, 16, 17), foundation fasteners, wax ex- 
tractors, bee brushes (fig. 9), queen-rearing outfits, and apparatus 
for producing comb or extracted honey (figs. 2, 18, 19) will be found 
described in catalogues of supplies; a full discussion of these imple- 
ments would require too much space in this 
bulletin. A few of these things are illus- 
trated, and their use will be evident to the bee 
keeper. It should be remembered that manip- 
ulation based on a knowledge of bee activity 
is of far greater importance than any partic- 
ular style of apparatus, and in a short dis- 
cussion like the present it should be given 
more space, especially since supply dealers 
will be glad to furnish whatever information 
is desired concerning apparatus. 
EQUIPMENT IN BERKS. 
As stated previously, it is desirable to 
begin bee keeping with a small number of 
colonies. In purchasing these, it is usually best to obtain them 
near at home rather than to send to a distance, for there is consider- 
able liability of loss in shipment. Whenever possible, it will be 
better to get bees already domiciled in the particular hive chosen 
by the bee keeper as the best, but if this is not practicable then 
bees in any hives or in box hives may be purchased and transferred. 
It is a matter of small importance what race of bees is purchased, for 
queens of any race may be obtained and introduced in place of the 
original queen, and in a short time the workers will all be of the same 
race as the introduced queen. This is due to the fact that during the 
season worker bees die 
rapidly, and after re- 
queening they are re- 
placed by the offspring 
of the new queen. 
Amostimportant con- 
sideration in purchasing 
colonies of bees is to see 
to it that they are free 
from disease. In many States and counties there are inspectors of 
aplaries who can be consulted on this point, but if this is not possible 
even a novice can tell whether or not there is anything wrong with the 
brood, and it is always safest to refuse hives containing dead brood. 
The best time of the year to begin bee keeping is in the spring, for 
during the first few months of ownership the bee keeper can study the 
397 
Fig. 5.—Hive tools. 
Fic. 6.—Drone and queen trap on hive entrance. 
