PURCHASrSTG STOCKS. 



CAUTION RESPECTING DISEASED BROOD. 1 



When no apiary from whicli to purchase can be found,' ' 

 but where the disease has made its appearance, and 

 you are necessitated to purchase from such, or not at 

 all, you cannot be too cautious about it. It would be' 

 safest in this' case to take none but young swarms, as 

 it is not so common for them to be affected the first 

 season, yet ,they are not always exempt. But here, 

 again, you may no£ be allowed to take all young stocks ; 

 in which case let the weather be pretty cold, the bees 

 will be fiirther up among the combs, and give a chance 

 to inspect the combs. At this season, say not earlier 

 than November, all the healthy brood will be hatched. 

 Sometimes, a few young bees may be left that have 

 their mature shape, and probably had been chilled 

 by sudden cold weather — these are not the result of 

 disease, the bees will remove them the n'ext season, 

 and no bad results follow. In warm weather a satis- 

 factory inspection can be had no other way, but by' 

 the use of tobacco smoke. Be particular to reject all 

 that are affected with the disease in the least ; better 

 do without, than take such to begin -with. (A full 

 description has been given of this disease in another 

 place.) 



RESULT OP IGNORANCE IN PURCHASING. 



A neighbor purchased thirteen stock-hives ; six were- 

 old ones, the others swarms of the last season. As 

 the old hives were heavy, he of course thought them 

 good ; either he knew nothing of the disease, or took 

 no trouble to exa,mine ; five of the six old ones were 

 badly affected. Four were lost outright, except the 



