1242 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVK «TOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



the minutiffi of their care. What we have given is a guide to those whoj 

 like the writer, may wish to keep a few swarms of bees. 



The trying time for bees in the West is the extreme cold of our wm- 

 ters, and the droughts of summer. These must be guarded against. 

 The same care must be exercised with bees as with any other farm stock. 

 No farmer of sense would overstock his pasture ; do not, therefore, imag- 

 ine l)ccausc ])ees have the power of fliirht that the}^ can forage indefinitely. 

 They cannot. Their extreme power of flight is about three miles. Their 

 most economical working range is, according to our observation when the 

 country was new, only about one-half mile. They must first find flowers 

 before they can get honey. Hence our advice, before increasing your 

 swarms largely, be sure those you ah'eady have are somewhat lazy. 



It is not hard to tell if your neighbor's bees and your own are overlap 

 ping on the feeding grounds. Dust a Httlc flour on a bee, after it has filled 

 itself from a saucer of honey offered to it. Sec which way it flics, and 

 if it flies away from home, be sure that either your neighi)or is over- 

 stocked, or else that j^ou have not enough. Remember, however, that a 

 few heavy swarms are better than many weak ones. It is the honey you 

 are after, and not numbers of swarms. In handling bees, do so deliber- 

 ately and sagaciously, and you will not be stung. Do not make experi- 

 ments largely in new hives, or in bee foods. Stick to a simple form of 

 hive, and puic sugar syrup as food. Keep no more swarms than can 

 easily forage to the full capacity of the hives. Take surplus honey as 

 soon as it is ready, and keep plenty of empty boxes on hand for the honey 

 harvest. But be very careful how you allow your cupidity to rob the 

 hives in the fall, lest bees may not have enough to amply carry them 

 through the winter, and fully up to the time when flowers are plenty 



