90 BEGINNER'S BEE BOOK 



the beginning, and if the season be favorable 

 they should store a crop of honey for their 

 owner the first summer. 



The fruit trees bloom several weeks before 

 the main honey flow, so that there is time for 

 a small colony to build up and become popu- 

 lous before the blooming of the white clover, 

 which is the main source of nectar east of the 

 Missouri River. 



Moving Bees. — If bees are bought which 

 are already on combs there are several things 

 to be considered. If they are moved but a short 

 distance, many of the bees will go back to the 

 old location. If the distance is two or three 

 miles or more there will be little to fear on that 

 score. For shorter distances some means must 

 be taken to insure that they will make note of 

 their new location before going to the fields. 

 It is a common practice to put the colony in a 

 dark cellar for a few days before setting them 

 on their new stand, and then to jar the hive 



