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, etce., 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. 
Tf 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 be 
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 
