PUKCHASING STOCKS. 365 



them sell at auction at eight, but in some sections 

 they are less. 



FIRST-RATE STOCKS* RECOMMENDED TO BEGIN WITH. 



For a beginning then, I would recommend purchas- 

 ing none but first-rate stocks ; it will make but little 

 difference in the risk, whether you obtain them in the 

 spring, or fall, if you have read my remarks on winter 

 management with attention ; I have already said the 

 requisites for a good stock for winter, were a ntimer-? 

 ous family and plenty of honey, and that the cluster 

 of bees should extend through nearly all the combs, 

 &c. To avoid as far as possible diseased brood, find 

 an apiary where it has never made its appearance, to 

 make purchases. There are some who have lost bees 

 by it, and yet are totally ignorant of the cause. It 

 would be well, therefore, to inquire if any stocks have 

 been lost,, and then for the cause — be carefiil that sec- 

 ondary are not mistaken for primary causes. 



OLD STOCKS ARE GOOD AS ANY, IF HEALTHY. 



"When it appears that all are exempt, (by a thorough 

 examination, if- not satisfied without,) you need not 

 object to stocks two or three years old ; they are just 

 as good as any, sometimes better, (providing they have 

 swarmed the season previous, according to one author; 

 because such always have young queens, which are 

 more prolific than old ones, that will be in all first 

 Bwarms). 



Old stocks are as prosperous as any, as long as they 

 are healthy, yet they are more liable to become dis- 

 eased. 



