162 CHOICE OF STOCK. 



to contain one thousand, one hundred cubic inches, 

 in addition. This size is the most profitable, as it is 

 found to develop the capacities of the swarm in a 

 greater degree ; hence, more honey is obtained, and 

 less risk is incurred from starvation ; this will hold 

 good both in the Pacific and Atlantic States, with 

 but slight exceptions. 



CONDITION OF COMB. 



The main apartment should be full of worker comb, 

 except one, which should be drone cells. The combs 

 should be straight and of even thickness. If of a 

 yellow color, they are new, and hence, to be prefer- 

 red. The combs should be carefully examined as to 

 their condition. (See Chapter on Combs.) 



HONEY AND POLLEN. 



If in the fall or winter, most of the comb should 

 be stored full of honey and pollen ; the former should 

 be clear and of a yellow color, and nearly all sealed 

 over. 



PROLIFIC QUEEN. 



A prolific queen lays her eggs in regular order, 

 commencing at a point and distributing them in cir- 

 cles, each surrounding the first, and on both sides 

 exactly alike. An old qiieen of a previous year is 

 usually more prolific previous to July, than a young 



