144 HANDY BOOK OF BEES. 



extra swarms. During long storms, the lives of bees in 

 very weak hives may "be preserved by taking them into 

 tlie room of a dweUing-liouse. Bees have been wintered 

 beneath the ground in America. It has been found that 

 they consumed as much honey below as they did above 

 ground. The dampness of the air below ground, as might 

 be expected, rotted their combs. 



CHAPTEE XXXIV. 



WHEN SHOULD HIVES BE PURCHASED? 



We think September 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 board, he 

 will readily sell them, and thus save himself the trouble 

 of running and selling the honey. The taking of honey 

 and wax is the most disagreeable 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 are higher in 

 price, because aU danger is over, and they are nearer the 

 time of multiplying their numbers. But bee-keeping can 

 be commenced at any time, — with stock-hives in spring, 

 autumn, and winter ; and with swarms in May and June. 

 And those who keep bees largely will readily sell at any 

 season. 



