BEE MANUAL. 107 



pounds weight of bees), with a fertile queen not more than two 

 years old, if obtained near at hand in the spring, I consider 

 worth fifteen to twenty shillings ; a similarly good established 

 colony in a Langstroth hive, just at the commencement of the 

 swarming season, should be worth half as much more, besides 

 the value of the hive and combs. For the sake of economy it 

 is as well to start with common (black) bees, and, if considered 

 desirable, purchase an Italian nucleus colony or queen later on 

 and Italianise the common stock, according to the instructions 

 given in Chapter XII. 



MOVING HIVES. 



Beginners are apt to think that bees may be moved about 

 their grounds from one place to another without making the 

 slightest difference to the colony. A little knowledge of the 

 habits of bees would at once convince them of their error. 

 The usual range of a bee's flight is from one and a half to two 

 miles. For the first day or two after a newly-hived swarm 

 has been placed in position the bees, on taking flight, will fly 

 and dodge about the front of the hive for some time, with 

 their heads towards it, marking the surroundings ; presently 

 they begin to fly in circles, enlarging each one till out of sight. 

 A.S soon as they are used to the locality they do not need to- 

 take these precautions, and consequently fly direct from the 

 hive. Now, if it should be moved to a new position within 

 the range of their flight, the bees when returning, recognising 

 some of the old landmarks, will make direct for the old locality. 

 On arriving there, and finding their hive gone, they will hover 

 about the place till they are starved to death or die with cold ; 

 or possibly, if there is another hive near, will try to enter it, 

 and so meet death that way. This will happen even if the 

 hive has only been shifted a few rods. 



Moving established colonies short distances should always 

 be avoided if possible, but if it is absolutely necessary, they 

 should only be shifted a few feet every day, till in their new 

 position. If there is more than one to move, the first must 

 be allowed to get a considerable distance away before the next 

 is moved, and so on. 



Natural swarms may be located anywhere as soon as hived, 

 but if an established colony is procured near at hand it would 

 be better to move it, say, two or three miles away, and let it 



