lo A Modern Bee-Farvi 



Bees Moved in April 



undergo Just that excitement which induces a healthy activity at 

 exactly the right time; the queens become equally energetic 

 under the consequent stimulation ; and better progress is made 

 than if they had not been disturbed. If moved in February 

 or March the same excitement causes the loss of thousands of 

 the older bees, through flying for what they cannot obtain at that 

 early date ; the large patches of brood lose the warmth hitherto 

 given by such workers, and the hive deteriorates to such an 

 extent that the whole season is unprofitable. By purchasing in 

 April there are plenty of young bees to fall back upon ; you get 

 only good stocks which have passed the ordeal of winter ; there 

 is no further risk, and the whole season is before you. If 

 obtained at a later date, the first year is lost, and the excitement 

 caused by late packing and travelling is not simply injurious, but 

 absolutely ruinous. These statements are based upon hard facts 

 and experience, and the reader will do well to be guided thereby. 

 So far we have considered one branch of bee-keeping only, 

 but another thing is the 



Sale of Bees and Queens. 



This is more profitable, more certain, and the returns quicker 

 than Honey production ; but, at the same time, special qualifi- 

 cations are necessary to enable a man to conduct a queen-raising 

 business, and unless he finds himself peculiarly adapted to the 

 undertaking, he had better confine himself to honey, as con- 

 tinued application, constant care and thought are required in a 

 much higher degree, to enable one to carry on this branch. It 

 should also be understood that where bees and queens are raised 

 for sale, the apiarist will have to be satisfied with but a limited 

 quantity of honey; in fact if his demand is large, in some 

 seasons instead of a surplus, a considerable amount of sugar will 

 have to be giverv to the bees as their winter stores. 



Do not expect that your demand will be great, as soon as you 

 begin to advertise ; on the contrary, you will have to keep on 



