240 WEALTH IN HONEY 



few days will be apt to cause the colony to dwindle to 

 almost nothing, if it does not entirely succumb. 



I would advise setting them out about the time soft 

 maple and elm trees begin to bloom. If there are only a 

 few hives, they can all be set out at once. Select a pleas- 

 ant day, so the bees can enjoy a cleansing flight. Bees 

 often become badly mixed up if a great number of hives 

 are set out at one time, some of the hives getting too 

 many bees, and some not enough. 



If the bees are disposed to dysentery before setting out 

 time has actually arrived, they may, with profit, be set out 

 some pleasant day for a flight, and then placed back 

 toward evening, when they will be able to endure a much 

 longer period of confinement. 



As soon as the warm weather approaches, go over the 

 entire apiary and examine each hive, to ascertain the con- 

 dition of the bees. You may find a few colonies where 

 the queen is absent. This is quickly noticed by the dis- 

 concerted action of the bees themselves ; and then, look- 

 ing further, it may be noticed that no brood is present. 

 Such hives place under other hives, with free access 

 between them. The queenless bees will readily unite with 

 the colony over them. 



