PROPER SEASONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF HIVES. 153 



Martin in one of the most favourable districts of France for 

 the culture of the bee fixes the number at six. On the 

 other hand, Schirach estimates the number at twenty-two ; 

 Liitterchau at nineteen, Janscha at twenty, and Kratzer at 

 twenty- one. It must however be observed that the three 

 latter naturalists do not affirm that all these cells were the 

 generation of one season. We have ourselves counted twenty- 

 four queen cells in a hive, but then the hive was four years 

 old ; thereby allowing six queens to each year. The number of 

 queen cells is therefore a good criterion of the age of a hive, 

 but it is a difficult one for the young apiarian to consult. 



The purchaser should also examine the combs as high as 

 possible, for it is in the upper part of the hive, that the 

 moths begin their ravages. These vile insects are, however, 

 seldom to be found in a new hive, and whenever the slightest 

 symptom of their presence exhibits itself, let the purchaser 

 immediately reject the hive ; for bees can never prosper when 

 those insects have once got a footing in their hive. 



The most proper time for the purchase of a hive is either 

 in the month of January, or at the swarming season. It is 

 to be taken for granted, that a hive in January or February 

 has survived the dangers of the winter ; and the purchaser 

 has then only to attend to the population of the hive, and 

 to its apparent age. In February and March, the season has 

 commenced for the operation of the bees, and the richness 

 of the population of a hive is then determined by the greater 

 or less activity of the bees. In one hive, the inhabitants 

 will be all bustle and labour, whilst in another, a deadness 

 and stillness will be perceptible, which demonstrate that some 

 natural cause operates to effect a tardiness in their labours, 

 and from such a hive an early swarm cannot be expected. 



We will here mention a fraud which is often practised by 

 the vendors of swarms, against which the purchasers cannot 

 be put too much upon their guard. It is frequently the 

 custom for an individual, who wishes to establish an apiary, 



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