274 COLONIZING. 



having young brood. But no more should be placed 

 in any hive than there are bees to cover, so as to pre- 

 vent a chill. Divide equally, giving a royal cell to 

 each. The hives' are to be properly arranged, to allow 

 egress and ingress, and placed near each other, one 

 on the right and the other on the left of the orig- 

 inal position ; these subdivisions are to be treated in 

 the same manner as directed for other colonies. 



All colonies having young queens about to emerge 

 and standing in the immediate vicinity of other hives, 

 should be conspicuously marked, to enable the young 

 queen to regain her own home on returning from her 

 serial amorous excursions. This takes place within 

 from seven to ten days from her birth. The mark- 

 ing is best done by placing a board, one end resting 

 on the place of alighting and the other on the ground 

 in a slanting position. .When a number of colonies 

 are to be thus marked, let the boards be of different 

 colors. Cloth can be used to good advantage to al- 

 ternate. 



As soon as the queens are fertile, let these marks 

 be removed ; this will show at a glance if any remain 

 unfruitful. 



To build up weak colonies at any time, take a sheet 

 of mature brood from 'any hive that is full, and give 

 to them; being sure to have all hives full of comb 

 and stores at the close of the season. 



