CHAPTER VIII 



CHOICE OF STOCK. 



IN order to establish an apiary successfully, much 

 caution is necessary in the choice of stock. There 

 is as much difference in the relative value of hives of 

 bees as there is in that of animals from which to 

 stock a farm. The following suggestions will be of 

 service to new beginners in making their selections. 



THE KIND OP HIVE. 



The first question to determine is the kind of hive 

 to adopt ; then, if possible, buy bees already in the 

 favorite hive. By so doing, the expense of an extra 

 hive, as well as a delicate operation to a beginner, in 

 transferring them, is avoided. See that the hives 

 are well made, as a small defect frequently causes 

 the loss of a good swarm of bees. 



SIZE OF HIVE. 



The main apartment, for breeding and winter stores, 

 should contain two thousand, two hundred cubic inches, 

 with a chamber for the reception of surplus honey, 



