10 A Modern Bee-Farm 
able time, and thus making it impossible for the bees to 
regain their normal hibernating condition. 
Other stocks moved in February or March, have 
dwindled terribly after a long railway journey, simply 
because the bees that had wintered were unfit to bear 
confinement, and thereafter, through the too-early excite- 
ment soon wore themselves out, without first being able 
to renew the population of the hives. 
Bees moved in April or May 
undergo just that condition of excitement which induces 
healthy activity. at exactly the right time; the queens 
become equally energetic under the consequent stimula- 
tion ; and better progress is made than if they had not 
been disturbed. If moved in February or March the 
same excitement causes the loss of thousands of the older 
bees, through flying for what they cannot obtain at that 
early date; the large patches of brood lose the warmth 
hitherto afforded by such workers, and the hive deteriorates 
to such an extent that the whole season is unprofitable. 
By purchasing as I advise there are plenty of young bees 
to fall back upon if the stocks have been properly seiected ; 
you get only good stocks which have stood the ordeal of 
winter ; there is no further risk, and the whole season is 
before you. These statements are based upon hard facts 
and experience, and the reader will do well to be guided 
thereby. 
So far we have considered one branch of bee-keeping 
only, but another thing is the 
Sale of Bees and Queens. 
This is most profitable, more certain, and the returns 
’ quicker than when producing honey; but, at the same 
time, special qualifications are necessary to enable a man 
to conduct a queen-rearing business successfully, and unless 
