33 



In order to pry aj^art fixtures and scrape away refuse propolis, 

 a hive tool should be constantly at hand. This can be purchased at 

 a small cost. An inflexible putty knife is admirable. 



Other almost indispensable apparatus can be listed and studied 

 from catalog'ues. For fastening foundation to the wires in the 

 frames, see wire embedders. For securing foundation in the surplus 

 honey boxes or sections, study foundation fasteners, some of the 

 recent, inexpensive types proving admirable. A few queen cages, 

 for introducmg, are serviceable, but may be constructed at home. 

 A German bee brush, some perforated zinc, feeders. Alley drone 

 traps, honey boards and Porter bee escapes will all be used. 



Getting the Bees. 



Getting the bees is easy, but there are several necessary precautions. 



Commence on a small scale for the first year and increase in pro- 

 portion to experience. Increase swarms will come fast enough, and 

 sometimes it is a serious problem to know how to prevent building 

 up too large an apiary. Usually beginners find it desirable to have 

 not more than three to five colonies. With a beginning in May, 

 which is a suitable time of the year, frequently the apiary will have 

 doubled by fall, giving in addition a surplus of honey. 



The primary precaution, at present, in buying bees is that they be 

 healthy or free from brood disease, a subject referred to under 

 " Hygiene of the Apiary." The question immediately arises, " How 

 am I to tell that the bees are not diseased?" It may be possible 

 upon inquiry to purchase colonies which have been inspected and 

 pronounced healthy. An experienced beekeei^er can sometimes be 

 procured to pass judgment. Furthermore, in case of doubt, if a 

 sample of the brood be sent to the Bureau of Entomology, Wash- 

 ington, D. C, or to the writer, an examination will gladly be made. 



A relatively safe way to secure bees is to take a clean and equipped 

 hive to a beekeeper, instructing him to introduce a large, early swarm. 

 This is an inexpensive means of securing a good, vigorous colony. 



Colonies may sometimes be caught in the woods by setting out 

 empty hives. Various baits are used. A hive previously occupied 

 by bees is attractive to swarms, but this method of securing colonies 

 as now practiced is objectionable, and should be discontinued in 

 regions where brood diseases occur. Inasmuch as empty combs and 

 sometimes honey are used as bait, there arises great danger of spread- 

 ing infection through robbing. Beekeepers are, therefore, warned 

 against a possibly luilawful act. 



In purchasing a hive of bees it will be most advantageous to se- 

 cure them in the movable-frame type of hive, which the prospective 

 buyer should previously have selected as his standard. A beginner is 

 advised not to purchase colonies in boxes, kegs or old-fashioned box 



