18 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



MAKING A START. 



It is best to buy a good colony of bees in a standard hive, buying 

 from some nearby beekeeper if possible. Also get for the first colony 

 as gentle or easih'-handled bees as the seller can furnish. If one 's 

 means warrant it, buy two such colonies, using one for study and 

 experiment, and the other for honey, and as a reserve in case of 

 disaster to the first, for frequent overhauling of a colony of bees is not 

 conducive to its success or thrift. 



It has sometimes been advised to start by buying bees in a box or 

 an)^ old hive and transfer them to a modern hive "for the experience." 

 It is the sort of experience to dampen the ardor of the most en- 

 thusiastic, and an experience which a wise and thrifty veteran 

 avoids as he would a pestilence. 



TIME TO START. 



May and June are the most favorable months to make a beginning, 

 but July or August will do, provided the novice does not try to 

 increase the stock by division of the colonies. In buying earlier 

 than May, one is not so sure of obtaining a strong colony, and the 

 desire to examine and overhaul them may be irresistible, and is likely 

 to prove disastrous to the bees. If purchased in September or 

 October, little opportunity is offered for study, and about all that can 

 be done is to see that sufficient food is in the combs for winter use. 

 Winter is a most univise time to buy bees, and even the skilled 

 veteran avoids purchase then, unless he is thoroughly familiar with 

 conditions as they were in the fall. 



BEES AND THEIR LIFE HISTORY. 



The more complete one 's knowledge of the Hfe and habits of the 

 bees the easier and more rapid will be the progress in learning how 

 to keep them and the better the chances for success. 



