364 PUECHASING STOCKS. 



of bees can afford to take care of a few hives more, 

 for half the profits, which he has to give if another 

 takes them ; this is apt to be the case, especially, with 

 such as have no faith in charms. 



RULE IN TAKING BEES FOR A SHARE. 



The rule generally adopted for taking bees is this. 

 One or more stocks are taken for a term of years, the 

 person taking them finding hives, boxes, and bestow- 

 ing whatsoever care is necessary, and returning the 

 old stocks to the owner with half the increase and 

 profits. 



A MAN MAY SELL HIS "LUCK." 



There are yet a few persons who refuse to sell a. 

 stock of bees, because it is " bad luck." There is 

 often some grounds for this notion. It might arise 

 under tbe following circumstances. Suppose a person 

 has a half dozen hives, three extra good, the others 

 of the opposite extreme. He sells for the sake of the 

 better price his three best ; there is but little doubt but 

 his best " luck" would go too ! But should his poor- 

 est be taken, the result would be different, without 

 doubt. 



But there are cases where an apiarian has more 

 stocks than he wishes to keep. (It has been the case 

 with myself frequently.) Persons wishing to sell, are 

 the proper ones of which to buy. Purchasers seldom 

 want any but first-rate stocks, they are generally 

 cheapest in the end. There is usually a difference of 

 abput a dollar in the spring and fall prices, ^nd five 

 and six dollars are common charges. I have known 



