202 NOTES FOR THE SEASON'S. 



possible. It is usually safe to set them out just before 

 Soft or Red Maple blooms. At this time there will prob- 

 ably be but little brood in the hives, but after the first 

 flight, the queen will commence depositing eggs. Each 

 hive should now be examined to ascertain its exact con- 

 dition. In making these examinations it will be conveni- 

 ent to begin with a clean, empty hive. Eeuiove the hive 

 from its stand and put the empty one in its place. Take 

 out the combs and put them into the empty hive. Eggs 

 in the cells will attest to the presence of a queen. Set 

 aside such combs as are not occupied by the bees, leaving 

 those that contain honey. After cleaning this hive thor- 

 oughly, use it for the next one in the same manner until 

 all have been inspected. If any are found destitute of 

 sealed honey, supply them from such as have a surplus, 

 or with combs reserved for the purpose. 



If colonies are found to be queenless, or possessing de- 

 ficient queens, unite them with others having queens. It 

 will often be judicious to unite weak colonies. 



Keep entrances contracted, to prevent robbing, 

 and shut off all upward ventilation, to retain the 

 warmth. 



Stimulate breeding, and see that no stock is destitute 

 of food at any time. Add empty combs as rapidly as the 

 stocks become populous enough to demand it. This is 

 the time to purchase bees, and transfer them from box- 

 hives to movable comb-hives. 



Cards of brood may often be taken from the best stocks 

 and used to strengthen weaker ones to advantage. Fill 

 the place of such cards with clean, empty combs. It is 

 often best to place these in the center of the strong 

 swarms, in such a position in the brood-nest that the 

 queen will immediately occupy them. It is under such 

 favorahle circumstances as these that the largest number 

 of 6ggs is deposited in a single day. 



In some sections the best colonies will sometimes send 



