364 
PURCHASING STOCKS. 
of bees can afford to take care of a few hives more, 
for half the profits, which he has to give if another 
takes them ; this is apt to be the case, especially, with 
such as have no faith in charms. 
RULE IN TAKING BEES FOR A SHARE. 
The rule generally adopted for taking bees is this. 
One or more stocks are taken for a term of years, the 
person taking them finding hives, boxes, and bestow- 
ing whatsoever care is necessary, and returning the 
old stocks to the owner with half the increase and 
profits. 
A MAN MAT SELL HIS “ LUCK.” 
There are yet a few persons who refuse to sell a 
stock of bees, because it is “bad luck.” There is 
often some grounds for this notion. It might arise 
under the following circumstances. Suppose a person 
has a half dozen hives, three extra good, the others 
of the opposite extreme. lie sells for the sake of the 
better price his three best ; there is but little doubt but 
his best “luck” would go too ! But should his poor- 
est be taken, the result would be different, without 
doubt. 
But there are cases where an apiarian has more 
stocks than he wishes to keep. (It has been the case 
with myself frequently.) Persons wishing to sell, are 
the proper ones of which to buy. Purchasers seldom 
want any but first-rate stocks, they are generally 
cheapest in the end. There is usually a difference of 
about a dollar in the spring and fall prices, and five 
and six dollars are common charges. I have known 
