140 
the hives. This should be about four or five feet wide, 
and about five feet high, and open all around, so that 
it will not interfere with the operations about the hive;' 
Never crowd hives together for the purpose of getting 
them under a shed ; rather let them be without it, or 
build a separate shed for each. 
DIRECTIONS FOR PROCURING BEES TO STOCK AN 
APIARY. 
Purchasing Bees. — It will be best for beginners to 
send a movable-comb hive, before swarming-time, to a 
place where they can obtain a natural swarm, and have 
a swarm hived into it. Always purchase the first or 
prime swarm, and see that it is given to you. Never 
buy a second or late swarm, as they seldom fill their 
hive or gather enough stores to last them during the 
winter. 
If full stocks are to be purchased in the common 
hive, the indications of their value vary at the different 
seasons of the year. If in the spring, drive the bees 
up among the combs with smoke, turn it bottom side 
up and examine the combs ; they should be free of 
mould, and if in nice broad sheets of worker comb, are 
better adapted to be ' transferred into movable-comb 
hives. Gently pull the combs apart and search for 
brood ; if found, it indicates the presence of a fertile 
queen. See whether an excess of bee-bread is present. 
