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hives at sales, because there is always the risk., and indeed the 

 probability, that their late tenants have died from disease. 



On receipt of the new hive, the bee-keeper should examine 

 its component parts. The roof and lifts being removed, the 

 following parts will be exposed : — section .rack, shallow super, 

 queen excluder, and quilts. Below these will be the brood 

 chamber — a compartment containing 10 frames and a dummy 

 frame; the former will be" filled with sheets of "worker" 

 foundation, and wired. The shallow super, section rack, and 

 queen excluder are removed and placed under cover, for future 

 use. The quilt is arranged- over the brood chamber, and the 

 lift and roof added. If the hive is not already painted on 

 receipt from the dealer, it should be given two coats of paint. 

 When dry, it will be ready for a swarm of bees. 



Appliances. 



When more. than one colony is kept, the bee-keeper should 

 also provide himself with a honey extractor, for extracting 

 honey from combs;, straw skep, to hive swarms, and super 

 clearer to rid the honey chambers of the bees when removing 

 the honey. 



Purchasing Bees. 



The beginner may start business by purchasing a swarm of 

 bees from a local bee-keeper, or by buying an established stock. 

 The first is perhaps the best and easiest, method for the average 

 beginner, for then the local dealer will assist the novice in 

 placing the bees in. the hivei — though this is not a difficult opera- 

 tion. Swarms of bees are usually sold by weight, at 2s. 6d. to 

 3s. per lb.. It is advisable not to purchase a swarm under 5- lbs. 

 Whether or not -honey will, be obtained -in the first season will 

 depend on the time when the swarm is . purchased, and the 

 season. If the' swarm be obtained in May or early in June it 

 is possible, if the atmospheric conditions are favourable, to 

 obtain a supply of honey the first season., 



On the other hand, the apiarian may prefer to buy an 

 established stock on 8-10 fratnes, from a reliable dealer in bees. 

 Jf: the stock' is:obtai'ried early in the 1 season, the bee-keeper may 



