PURCHASE OF BEES. 81 



1st. The combs should be of a pale colour, as 

 dark ones denote age ; though even in this there 

 may be deception, for old combs may be length- 

 ened out and bordered with new wax. 



2dly. The combs should be worked down to 

 the floor of the hive. 



Srdly. The interstices of the combs should be 

 crowded with bees. 



All these points may be safely ascertained, by 

 gently turning up the hive in an evening, when 

 the bees are at rest. It may be well also to notice 

 the proceedings of the bees in the day-time. If 

 when they quit the hive, to range the fields, they 

 depart in quick succession and without lingering 

 about ; and if the entrance be well guarded by 

 sentinels ; these are pretty sure indications of a 

 prosperous hive. 



The hive, when purchased, should be raised 

 gently from the stool, some hours prior to its re- 

 moval, and be supported by wedges, that the bees 

 may not cluster on the floor, as this would be 

 productive of inconvenience at the time of their 

 removal. After being wedged up, the hive should 

 remain undisturbed till night, when, being placed 

 upon a proper board, it should be carried away 

 carefully, and placed at once where it is intended 

 to remain, unless it be a recent swarm which is to 

 be removed into a box. The mode of proceeding 

 in this case will be noticed hereafter. 

 E 5 



