22 PROFITABLE BEE-KEEPING 
diagnosing disease. Foul-brood, for instance, that 
arch-pest of bee-keepers, could not be detected by 
one novice in a hundred in an incipient stage. 
I cannot lay too much stress on this point, for 
as one who has been through the fire more than 
once, I speak feelingly when I say that the acqui- 
sition of diseased bees by a beginner will in all 
probability, effectually quell all his aspirations in 
the direction of apiculture, and many a good 
man has thus been lost to the craft. 
Colonies secured in April, if in fair condition, ' 
give ample time for getting the bees up to a 
point when they can take full advantage of the 
honey flow. Cases are quite common where the 
first season’s honey has paid for the bees. A 
fair price for a colony of bees in a good hive 
is from 25/- to 30/- at this time of the year. 
For this money the buyer should receive a colony 
which covers from six to ten frames thickly, with 
brood on at least four frames, denoting the pres- 
ence of a fertile queen. They, should be abso- 
lutely healthy and the combs should be good. 
When speaking of good combs, I mean that they 
should be quite flat and free from drone comb. 
Healthiness should be a sine qua non, and they, 
should not be pollen-clogged nor should they be 
too old. Colour indicates age, and in. a light 
brown state, as distinct from dark brown or black, 
they will do. There should be a fair amount 
of brood in all stages and some stores, but if 
the other essentials are there the question of food 
