34 THE BLESSED BEES. 



out about different hives, frames, methods of man- 

 agement, and races of bees, except to read the pub- 

 lished experience of those who had tried them. 

 Laying out a few dollars in books now, might save 

 one from mistakes involving much vexation and 

 many thousands of dollars. I made up my mind 

 that it was economical to be wisely extravagant in 

 buying books. 



My plan was to begin the season with not less 

 than thirty swarms. I must purchase at least thir- 

 teen to add to those at home. The first of Febru- 

 ary I heard of a farmer, ten miles further south, 

 who was going to Grand Traverse to grow fruit. 

 He had some bees he wanted to sell. The next 

 Saturday I drove to his place with a common large 

 sleigh- He had nine swarms in fair condition. He 

 willingly sold them at $4 50 per swarm. I turned 

 the hives top end down, stood them on straw on 

 the bottom of the sleigh, and drove home with no 

 mishap. A few days later I heard of a vendue, at 

 which some bees were to be sold. Here I found 

 ten good box-hives, with the bees apparently in 

 good condition, and plenty of stores. Bees were in 

 no demand, and the ten hives were struck off to me 

 at $4 25 per hive. They were taken home and 

 ranged with my other purchase in the orchard, giv- 

 ing me, with the seventeen in the cellar, thirty-six 

 hives to begin with. 



