THE APIARY, 79 



had sufficient experience to warrant tKe assumption that 

 it may not be very satisfactorily modified and improved, 

 but like many other methods, its merits and defici- 

 encies can only be developed by time and experiment. I 

 favor further trial and investigation, 



WHEN TO PUECHASB BEES. 



Assuming the location tq be determined, and all pre- 

 liminary arrangements settled, the next important step is, 

 to secure the bees with which to stock the apiary. 



After an extended experience in buying bees at differ- 

 ent seasons of the year, I sl^all advise beginners to pur- 

 chase them only in spring. Those who feel competent to 

 transfer from box-hives to movable combs, should procure 

 them before the first yield of honey in their own location. 

 The inexperienced will, however, find their initiation into 

 bee-culture less perplexing, if able to secure the beea 

 in the kind of movable-comb hive they intend to use. 



A marked advantage may be realized by buying bees in 

 a section where the season opens earlier than in that to 

 which they are to be removed. For instance, fruit blos- 

 soms are valuable in stimulating early brood-rearing. Buy 

 your bees in a quarter where Apple-trees are going out 

 of bloom just as they are opening in your own, and move 

 them as nearly at this time as possible. A little research 

 on this point will prove advantageous to experienced bee- 

 keepers. A little more care must be exercised in moving 

 bees at such times, as the com^s are heavier with brood 

 and honey. 



WHERE TO BUY. 



This consideration depends upon the variableness of 

 profitable seasons, and also upon the fact that bees will 

 prosper in one locality, and in another at a greater or 

 less distance, do very poorly during the same period. 



