23 PROFITABLE BEE-KEEPING 



diagnosing disease. Foul-brood, for instance, that 

 arch-pest of bee-keepers, could not be detected by 

 one novice in a hundred in an incipient stage. 

 I cannot lay too much stress on this point, for 

 as one who has been through the fire more than 

 once, I speak feelingly when I slay that the acqui- 

 sition of diseased bees by a beginner will in all 

 probability effectually quell all his aspirations in 

 the direction of apiculture, arid many a good 

 man has thus been lost to the craft. 



Colonies secured in April, if in fair condition, 

 give ample time for getting the bees up to a 

 point when they can take full advantage of the 

 honey flow. Cases are quite common where the 

 first season's honey has- paid for the bees. A 

 fair price for a colony, ,. of bees in a good hive 

 is from 25/- to 30/- at this time of the year. 

 For this money the buyer should receive a colony 

 which covers from six to ten frames thickly, with 

 brood on at least four frames, denoting the pres- 

 ence of a fertile queen. They should be abso- 

 lutely healthy and the combs should be good. 

 When speaking of good combs, I (mean that they 

 should be quite flat and free from drone comb. 

 Healthiness should be a sine qua non, and they 

 should not be pollen-clogged nor should they be 

 too old. Colour indicates age, and in a light 

 brown state, as distinct from dark brown or black, 

 they will do. There should be a fair amount 

 of brood in all stages and some stores, but if 

 the other essentials are there the question of food 



