366 
PURCHASING STOCKS. 
CAUTION RESPECTING DISEASED BROOD. 
When no apiary from which to purchase can be found, 
but where the disease has made its appearance, and 
you are necessitated to purchase from such, or not at 
all, you cannot be too cautious about it. It would be 
safest in this case to take none but young swarms, as 
it is not so common for them to be affected the first 
season, yet they are not always exempt. But here, 
again, you may not be allowed to take all young stocks ; 
in which case let the weather be pretty cold, the bees 
will be further up among the combs, and give a chance 
to inspect the combs. At this season, say not earlier 
than November, all the healthy brood will be hatched. 
Sometimes, a few young bees may be left that have 
their mature shape, and probably had been chilled 
by sudden cold weather — these are not the result of 
disease, the bees will remove them the next season, 
and no bad results follow. In warm weather a satis- 
factory inspection can be had no other way, but by 
the use of tobacco smoke. Be particular to reject all 
that are affected with the disease in the least ; better 
do without, than take such to begin with. (A full 
description has been given of this disease in another 
place.) 
RESULT OP IGNORANCE IN PURCHASING. 
A neighbor purchased thirteen stock-hives ; six were 
old ones, the others swarms of the last season. As 
the old hives were heavy, he of course thought them 
good ; either he knew nothing of the disease, or took 
no trouble to examine ; five of the six old ones were 
badly affected. Four were lost outright, except the 
