How to Test the Value of a Hive. 45 
or beginning of March. Unless the latter is the 
case, the former conditions are valueless. 
In any case a hive full of bees and of mode- 
rate weight in March is worth more than a very 
heavy hive with few bees. 
As to the best time for buying stocks of bees, 
in our climate we are inclined to recommend the 
month of March, unless the seller will guarantee 
them in good condition until the middle of 
April. 
Swarms can also be purchased at the swarm- 
ing season ; but in bad years, being unable to 
fill their hive, they run a chance of dying in the 
winter unless they are fed. 
Hives can be moved at any season of the 
year ; but during great heat this should only be 
done at night, care being taken to ventilate the 
hive throughout, without allowing any exit for 
the bees. Unless this is done, the great heat 
produced by the confinement of the bees might 
cause the comb to fall. 
Any sudden shock may bring about a similar 
accident, and, if a carriage is used, precaution 
must be taken to avoid any jolting. 
