80 THE APIARY. 
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. 
TRANSPORTATION BENEFICIAL. 
It is generally supposed that it is better to secure bees 
in 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 eyvi- 
dently freed from the more minute pests of the hive in 
the same manner. Repeated 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 
