192 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



CHAPTEK XXXIX. 



WHEN SHOULD HIVES BE PUECHASED ? 



Some one wIlo has no Lees may have condescended to 

 read thus far in hopes of finding information as to the 

 best time to commence bee-keeping. We think Septem- 

 ber is the best time to purchase hives for stock, for then 

 almost every bee-keeper has some to part with — viz., those 

 which he has marked for honey. If he can get the value 

 of the honey-hives and boards he vriU readily sell them, 

 and thus save himself the trouble of running and selling 

 the honey. The taking of honey and wax is to us the 

 most dLsagreeable thing in bee-keeping, and we would 

 much rather sell our hives than put them down for honey. 

 This month is the cheapest time, too ; for hives that have 

 weathered the winter storms are higher in price, because 

 all danger is over, and they are nearer the time of multi- 

 plying their numbers. A hive before winter worth 20s., 

 is worth 30s. in spring if all has gone on well in it. Bee- 

 keeping can be commenced with May or June swarms, 

 or in fact at any time. "We sell our first swarms, put in 

 good new straw hives with boards, for 25s. each; without 

 hives and boards, for 21s. each. Second swarms are 5s. 



