COMMENCING BEE-KEEPING. 109 



will be secured later in the evening by raising the 

 canvas and tying it round the skep before the latter 

 is inverted. 



How TO Start Bee-keeping. 



Whether by swarms or stocks is a matter to be 

 settled mainly by the buyer, who will start with the 

 latter if he can procure good healthy stocks at a 

 reasonable price in the spring. Stocks in skeps may 

 be bought from cottagers when "taking up" time 

 comes in the autumn, or in the early spring, for 

 about the price of a good swarm later on in May or 

 June, and with careful management each lot may be 

 expected to give a swarm, and probably a cast or two, 

 with which to stock new hives. 



The most satisfactory start would be with new, well- 

 painted hives and strong swarms ; and, presuming this 

 mode of commencing to be adopted, the swarm will be 

 hived in the following manner : — 



Swarms sent by rail should always travel in boxes 

 with holes in the top and bottom, covered with per- 

 forated zinc, and the lid screwed on. If the swarm 

 has come a long distance and arrives at night, a little 

 syrup may be given over the perforated zinc in such a 

 manner that no bees are drowned. The zinc smeared 

 occasionally with honey or syrup will afford just that 

 taste of food which will render the bees quiet on being 

 turned out of the box. 



The hive properly prepared should be placed on a 

 spot cleared of weeds and made perfectly hard and 

 level, then a piece of wood should be placed so that 



