186 FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



with no very great check to its work. Before speaking of 

 this, however, it will be well to speak of the preliminary 

 work, which is the same for all colonies, whether the after 

 treatment be on the ''put-up'' plan or some other plan. 

 Then I struck upon a plan that seemed equally effective 

 but quite a little easier. 



it 



Fiy. 60. — Top and Bottom Starters in Section. 

 PRELIMINARY WORK. 



As soon as colonies become strong and are work- 

 ing busily, we begin to be on the lookout for queen-cells. 

 This generally wnll not be till the bees are at work on 

 clover bloom, although it may happen in some seasons 

 that preparation for swarming begins during the last of 

 fruit-bloom. Of late years dandelion has become so im- 

 portant that there is a possibility it may start swarming. 

 Whether it be in apple or clover bloom, we begin to ex- 

 amine some of the strongest colonies to see if any prep- 

 arations for swarmmg are made. If we fin' none in 

 the strongest colonies it is hardly worth while to look 



