30 MAKING A START WITH BEES 



common plan to move them a foot or two each day. They 

 quickly adjust themselves to such a short move. While this plan 

 is tedious, nevertheless it is safe. 



Ventilation. — In hot weather great care must be taken to 

 see that the bees have sufficient ventilation when confined to the 

 hive. In cold weather, a wire screen over the entrance will be 

 sufficient, if the bees are to be moved but a short distance. In 

 summer the cover must be removed and the top covered with 

 screen also (Fig. 17). Sometimes even this is not sufficient and 

 strong colonies are likely to be lost. It is well to avoid moving 

 bees in very hot weather if possible. When it becomes necessary 

 to screen the top of the hive, a frame should be used that will 

 raise the screen a little above the top, thus providing an empty 

 space above the frames. If they show a tendency to crowd about 

 the entrance and against the screen on top, a little water sprinkled 

 over the surface will serve to quiet them. 



To Tell Strong Colonies. — In buying bees in late fall when 

 a long winter is ahead, colonies heavy with honey as well as 

 strong in bees should be selected. After making allowance for 

 weight of hive, bees, etc., there should be at least twenty-five 

 pounds of honey in the hive, and forty is better to insure an 

 abundance of stores for spring brood rearing. Some bee-keepers 

 figure that fifty pounds is not too much to leave in the hives for 

 winter. 



If one buys bees in spring, which is the. best time for one 

 making a start in bee-keeping, it is well to select them during 

 the period of fruit bloom. In the ordinary apiary at this season 

 of the year, colonies will vary greatly in condition. Some will 

 be very strong and some very weak. Then there are likely to bo 

 queenless colonies, which one would not care to buy at any price. 

 The strong colonies are the ones to look for, for the weaklings 

 are likely to be so slow in building up that they will be of little 

 value in storing surplus, unless they receive special attention. 



By walking through the apiary on a warm day at this season, 

 when the bees are active, one can readily pick out the strongest 



