FIFTY YEARS A.MOXG THE BEES 



;67 



were at the start. ]\Iay 29 there were only forty-one 

 combs containing any brood in the nine colonies, count- 

 ing each comb with brood, even if the patch of brood 

 were no larger than a silver dollar. I doubt if the nine 

 averaged any more than three and a half good frames 

 of brood each. On the other hand, the vear was un- 



Fig. go. — Xucleits Bottom-Board. 



usually favorable for increase, for there was a continu- 

 ous though not strong flow right through until, I think, 

 in September. 



Xo attempt could be made at increase until the col- 

 onies were stronger, and the first step looking in that 

 direction was not made until Jiuie I'l. On that date Xo. 

 23 T with its seven frames of brood and bees was taken 

 from its stand, and a hive of empty combs set on the 

 stand. The queen was found and put in the hive of 

 empty combs, which by this time had a good many bees 

 returning from the field. The queen of X'o. 237 was 

 considered the best in the apiary. X'o. 237 was now set 

 on the stand of X^o. 235, and X^o. 235 was set in a neu- 



