80 THE APIABT. 



Other facts in this connection are, that ordinarily, a good 

 season will follow a poor one, and that the best swarms 

 may generally be found in spring, where the previous 

 season was prosperous. The inference is easily drawn, 

 that if we purchase good colonies in such a section, and 

 take them where the approaching season promises well, 

 two essentials will be secured — bees in fine condition and 

 the promise of a good yield. 



TBANSPOBTATIOK BENEFICIAL, 



It is generally supposed that it is better to secure beea 

 m the immediate vicinity, which is certainly true as re- 

 gards labor and expense ; but experience assures me that 

 when they are properly transported a long distance, there 

 are advantages which offset, partially at least, the extra 

 trouble and cost. With us, such colonies invariably work 

 better than stocks of equal strength of our own winter- 

 ing, standing in the same apiary. I account for this, in 

 part, from the fact that being supplied with water dur- 

 ing confinement and shipment, the bees uncap and dilute 

 their stores of honey, which stimulates the queen to de- 

 posit eggs more freely. 



Also, the agitation incident to moving them some dis- 

 tance dislodges the moth-worms and the bees may be seen 

 endeavoring to throw them, as well as portions of the 

 worm galleries, from the hive. They are also evi- 

 dently freed from the more minute pests of the hive in 

 the same manner. Eepeated tests convince me of the 

 truth of this assumption. I think this view will yet be 

 developed into practice in the ordinary handling of bees, 

 so that in the proper time and manner they may be ex- 

 cited to more vigorous activity. 



HOW TO SELECT SWARMS. 



For several reasons, I' would advise beginners to pur- 

 chase swarms at least two years old, especially if to be 



