WHEN TO COMMENCE BEE-FJRMING. 31 



recommend spring is, that, the winter being past, they have 

 got over the worst part of the year and have the whole of 

 the summer before them ; but they forget that a hive which 

 may be had for zos. in the autumn will cost 30X. in the 

 spring, so that a great saving is effected by purchasing 

 stocks in the autumnal months. 



To thousands of bee-keepers the most disagreeable part 

 ■of the work is taking up hives for the honey, and they 

 would prefer to sell the stocks for a trifle, taking the honey, 

 of course, at a fair valuation. Keep a sharp look-out 

 amongst the cottage bee-keepers in your neighbourhood — 

 the earlier the better ; tell them you wish to secure a few 

 stocks of bees, and you will soon meet with any quantity 

 if they have not commenced taking up the hives. Then, 

 as to the price. Five shillings is a fair valuation for the 

 stock if it is in a plain skep-hive. You may weigh them if 

 you prefer, and agree as to the rate per pound for the honey, 

 and pay accordingly. It is, perhaps, the safer plan to leave 

 the hive on the old stand until the bees are settling down 

 for the winter before removing them to their new home. 

 If you purchase hives in the spring after the flight has com- 

 menced you run the danger of losing one-half the inmates, 

 especially if they are only removed a short distance from 

 the old stand, for they will invariably fly back to the place, 

 and thus miserably perish. 



Do not attempt to remove the bees to a new hive. 

 We advise what we know to be for the good of those who 

 are inexperienced. Remove the stock with the old hive in 

 the autumn ; then, if you judge by the weight they have 

 not sufficient food for the winter, cut a hole in the top of 

 the hive so as to be able to feed them liberally with syrup 

 by means of the Lancashire Bee-Feeder, which we should 

 recommend everyone to obtain beforehand. 



Leave the stocks in the old skep in which you purchase 

 them until they have swarmed. Before you expect the 



