CHAPTER II 
STOCKING AN APIARY 
THERE are several ways in which an apiary may 
“be effectively stocked, and the advisability of 
adopting any one method is much a question 
based upon the time of year in which the work 
is to be carried out. Bees may be acquired in 
the form of (a) established colonies in frame 
hives, (6) as colonies in skeps, (c) as swarms, 
(d) as driven bees. In the case of established 
colonies, whether in frame hives or skeps, they 
may be bought at any time except during the 
winter months, say from October to March, when, 
as no proper examination of the bees can be made, 
it is not advisable to buy. The best time for 
purchasing these colonies is at the end of March 
or during April, when a warm day may be chosen 
and, a satisfactory examination made. A novice 
is strictly cautioned against purchasing any stock 
on their own combs unless he has expert advice 
as to their freedom from disease, or a written 
guarantee from the vendor stating that the bees 
are perfectly healthy. 
Geod theoretical knowledge is of no use in 
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