THE APIARY. 79. 
had sufficient experience to warrant the 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 PURCHASE BEES. 
Assuming the location to 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 4t differ- 
ent seasons of the year, I shall 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 bees 
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 combs 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, 
