TO TELL STRONG COLONIES 31 
colonies from the appearance at the entrance of the hive. The 
colonies showing the greatest activity at the entrance, especially 
if the workers are carrying in large quantities of pollen, are the 
ones to mark for further examination. The pollen balls are very 
conspicuous on the legs of the workers, and one can thus see at 
a glance something of the condition of the colony. The pollen is 
mixed with honey, and used to feed the young bees. At this 
season large quantities of brood insures a strong working force 
Fig. 17.—An apiary ready for shipment. 
a little later to gather the principal honey crop. As a rule, the 
colonies bringing in the most pollen will be found to have the 
most brood. 
After deciding from external appearances which colonies are 
worthy of further examination, the hives should be opened te 
see that the combs are straight, that there is a sufficient quantity 
of honey to last until the main honey flow commenees, and that 
not too much drone comb is present, as this will necessitate its 
removal to be replaced with full sheets of foundation. There 
should, ordinarily, be about ten or fifteen pounds of honey in 
