90 How to choofe Stock Hives in September. 
fiderable rifk of their dying at laft, after all 
this extraordinary trouble andexpence. Where- 
as, a well chofen hive of 3olb. weight, allow- 
ing 12lb. for the empty hive, bees, combs, &c. 
will contain 18lb. of honey, which will fupply 
the bees with food till next June ; a time, when, 
it may be prefumed, they will find abundance 
of provifions for themfelves among the flow-. 
ers. | 
When a choice can be obtained, the young- 
eft hives fhould always be preferred, becaufe 
old hives are liable to vermin, and other acci- 
dents. But although a hive fhould be four or 
five years old, it fhould not be rejected, if | 
it poffeffes thefe,two effential qualities, plen- 
ty of bees, and abundance of honey ; but, if 
either 
for {tock cannot be obtained, they may be made up, by con 
joining the bees and honey of two or three light hives: into 
one, and thereby making one tolerably good hive out of fever- 
al bad ones. ‘The method of doing this fhall be noticed after- 
wards ; but it isa meafure that ought never to be adopted but 
in cafes of neceflity. For neither fuch conjunctions of light 
hives, nor feeding of bees ought to be adopted, at this feafon, on 
purpofe to make them ftand the winter’s cold, if they can poffi- 
bly be avoided. Indeed, fometimes very light hives, with few 
bees in them, will ftand through the courfe of a mild winter, 
and do well the following fummer ; but fuch hives are at bet 
precariaus, and therefore not to be depended upon. 
