PURCHASING STOCKS. 365 
them sell at auction at eight, but in some sections 
they are less. 
FIRST-RATE STOCKS RECOMMENDED TO BEGIN WITH. 
For a beginning then, I would recommend purchas- 
ing none but first-rate stocks ; it will make but little 
difference in the risk, whether you obtain them in the 
spring, or fall, if you have read my remarks on winter 
management with attention ; I have already said the 
requisites for a good stock for winter, were a numer- 
ous family and plenty of honey, and that the cluster 
of bees should extend through nearly all the combs, 
&c. To avoid as far as possible diseased brood, find 
an apiary where it has never made its appearance, to 
make purchases. There are some who have lost bees 
by it, and yet are totally ignorant of the cause. It 
would be well, therefore, to inquire if any stocks have 
been lost, and then for the cause — be careful that sec- 
ondary are not mistaken for primary causes. 
OLD, STOCKS ARK GOOD AS ANY, IF HEALTHY. 
When it appears that all are exempt, (by a thorough 
examination, if not satisfied without,) you need not 
object to stocks two or three years old ; they are just 
as good as any, sometimes better, (providing they have 
swarmed the season previous, according to one author ; 
because such always have young queens, which are 
more prolific than old ones, that will be in all first 
swarms). 
Old stocks are as prosperous as any, as long as they 
are healthy, yet they are more liable to become dis- 
eased. 
