CHAPTER II 



STOCKING AN APIARY 



There are several ways in which an apiary may 

 be effectively stocked, and the advisability of 

 adopting any one method is much a question 

 based upon the time of year in which the work 

 is to be carried out. Bees may be acquired in 

 the form of (a) established colonies in frame 

 hives, (b) as colonies in skeps, (c) as swarms, 

 (d) as driven bees. In the case of established 

 colonies, whether in frame hives or skeps, they 

 may be bought at any time except during the 

 winter months, say from October to March, when, 

 as no proper examination of the bees can be made, 

 it is not advisable to buy. The best time for 

 purchasing these colonies is at the end of March 

 or during April, when a warm day may be chosen 

 and a satisfactory examination made. A novice 

 is strictly cautioned against purchasing any stock 

 on their own combs unless he has expert advice 

 as to their freedom from disease, or a written 

 guarantee from the vendor stating that the bees 

 are perfectly healthy. 



Good theoretical knowledge is of no use in 



