«■• THE PRACTICAL BEE aUIDB. 



diseased apiary, or a diseased neighbourhood (349). It is 

 safest, and often it is necessary, to get someone of experience 

 to inspect bees about to be purchased and the apiary to which 

 they belong, and to report upon their antecedents and condi- 

 tion. On this subject perhaps no one can offer advice sounder, 

 or based upon wider experience than that given by Mr 

 Turlough B. O'Bryen— 



" Just now the general desire to purchase stocks to make an early 

 start, tempts me to say a word both of caution and advice on the 

 matter. Foul brood is now so widespread that no county can be said 

 to be absolutely free from it. Therefore the would-be purchaser 

 should take the offer of a bargain with suspicion and caution. It will 

 not do to trust to a piece of comb to send to our Editor, for that 

 particular piece may not be diseased. It is better to have the 

 stock examined by one who is familiar with the disease in all its 

 phases. Being satisfied that the stock is healthy, it only requires 

 a glance into the centre brood frames to ascertain if there is brood 

 in all stages, or any in the junior stages (eggs and larvae) to certify 

 the presence of a queen," — Irith Bee Journal, 



152. Commencing with a Swarm. — Speaking generally, one 

 may begin at any time of the year in which the " bee fever " 

 takes him. But, if he can arrange it so, it will be best to 

 commence in the spring; and, having his apiary and hives in 

 readiness, to purchase the best early swarm that he can pro- 

 cure. An ideal swarm will be one that comes off in April, 

 or early in May; that is from a stock which swarmed in the 

 previous year ; and that contains from 25,000 to 30,000 bees. 

 If it issue early in the spring, it will be able to give some 

 surplus honey, and to establish itself well before winter (205) : 

 if it is from a stock which swarmed in the previous year, it will 

 have a queen in her prime (20), and if it contain 25,000 or 

 30,000 bees, it will be strong enough to put heart into its work, 

 and to carry on until the new brood shall be able to fly. The 

 vendor will probably hive the swarm in a skep (77), or box, and 

 will deliver it, or will notify the purchaser that it is ready for 

 removal. 



153. Moving Swarms — The transporting of the swarm to 

 the new apiary presents no difficulty. All that is required is 

 to remove it as soon as it has been secured, or, failing that, 

 to wait until the bees have settled down in the evening. The 

 skep should be set down upon a piece of perforated zinc, 

 coarse netting, or canvas, which should be firmly tied round 

 the skep, so as to make sure that sufficient air can get in, and 

 that no bees can get out. The swarm, thus secure from escape. 



