162 BEGINNER'S BEE BOOK 



tion of the colony should be noted. Not only 

 should the beekeeper make sure that the supply 

 of stores is sufficient, but he should ascertain 

 whether or not a queen is present and in good 

 condition. It sometimes happens that some 

 colonies will be verj^ weak at this season of the 

 year, and, unless given some help, will be lost. 

 Such weaklings may be helped by giving them 

 a frame of sealed brood from a strong colony. 

 It is unwise to give very weak colonies unsealed 

 brood, since they are unable to care for it prop- 

 erly. If the cluster is too small, it is often bet- 

 ter to unite them with some other colony than 

 to try to build them up. Very weak colonies 

 can sometimes be saved by removing the cover 

 from the hive containing a strong colony and 

 in its place covering the hive with ordinary wire 

 screen. The bottom of the hive containing the 

 weak colony is then removed and the hive 

 placed directly on top of the strong one. A 

 hole to enable the bees to fly from the upper 



