MAY 1, \9\r> 



MiKilUr 1 



cm ]<!■ ciiiistiiK-ted on the same principlp 

 Note the tin division-board. 



best. So we make other boxes similar to the 

 first, except tliat each side has space for 

 tour frames, and a tin division-board in the 

 middle has canvas tacked to its top-bar for 

 coverine: each side. A ventilator, as shown, 

 is provided for each com^iartment. The 

 little button contains a bit of perforated 

 zinc, which may be turned to cover the 

 i-nt ranee, when desired. Tiie lids are double, 

 air-spaced, covered with metal, and painted 

 while. 



When we start our 

 nuclei we bring bees in 

 .swarm-bo .\es from 

 outyards and put them 

 in a cool jilace. Into 

 each compaitraent of 

 tile nucleus hive, one 

 of the combs of honey 

 is iilace<l ; and next to 

 it, if we have it, an 

 empty comb; or, lack- 

 injr this, a frame witli 

 a narrow starter. 



Ill four to six hours 

 after confininjr the 

 bees we smoke them in 

 one of the swarm- 

 l)o.\es with lol)acc() 

 sMMike, and then dip a 

 large cupful into each 

 compartment, cover 



367 



with tiie (|uilt, close the en- 

 trance with the button, open the 

 ventilator, and put on the lid. 

 When all are filled, we run a 

 virgin into each compartment, 

 following her with a little to- 

 bacco smoke. \'irgins of any 

 age are usually accej^led. 



That evening the little boxes 

 are sot in their places. Early 

 next morning the entrances are 

 ()]iened, or else at time of form- 

 ing they are set in their places 

 in the shade, and the entrances 

 lilled with candy, so that they 

 will release .themselves at plea- 

 sure. 



Tiie extensive producer can 

 not watch his nuclei as closely 

 as necessary with the little two- 

 frame compartments usually 

 employed. Witli ours, however, 

 each containing room for four 

 frames, one has only to add a 

 frame with a starter to the 

 stronger ones, when they Avill 

 fill it with fine worker comb as 

 soon as their queen commences 

 (o lay. 



If the queen is not needed at 

 once, another frame with starter will keep 

 them busy for several days more. Then 

 when brood begins to hatch, they may be 

 divided by taking the laying .jueens and a 

 frame of brood and bees, and \ iitting them 

 in another nucleus hive. The '.tie colony 

 on the old stand will gladly act ,1 another 

 virgin in three days. 

 Meridian, Idaho. 



Each compartment has its screened ventilatm. 



