CHAPTER IX. 



INCREASE AND THE PROFITABLE PRODUCTION OF BEES. 



In bad seasons or in districts where but little honey is to 

 be obtained, the bee-keeper may find it profitable to turn his 

 attention to the rearing of bees for sale, a by no means un- 

 important branch of practical apiculture, and one on which 

 I have bestowed considerable attention. 



The prices which strong stocks of bees on bar frames now 

 command in spring vary from about £3 10s. to £4 (prior to 

 the war they were only worth from 15s. to 25s. per stock), 

 and^ at these prices they pay the bee-keeper well to produce. 



There are various methods of increasing the number of 

 stocks, some natural and some wholly artificial. We may 

 term it a natural method to allow the bees to swarm, but even 

 in this case they will need some artificial assistance to work 

 them to the best advantage. 



Natural Methods of Increase. 



A very good method of increase is to obtain two natural 

 swarms from a stock and then to divide it into two, thus 

 making four stocks from the original one : but in order that 

 all four may be strong before the winter sets in some care and 

 attention are necessary. Firstly, in order that the stock may 

 swarm as eai-ly as possible, it is necessary to induce the bees to 

 rear brood freely in the spring ; this is done by what is known 

 as "stimulative feeding," which should be commenced about the 

 middle of JNlarch ; in a mild spring it may even be begun as 

 early as the first of the month, but in no case earlier than this.. 



For stimulative feeding a bottle feeder (fig. 34) is used, 

 the neck of this bottle fitting into the round hole in the block', 

 which is covered with perforated zinc. Six or seven holes 

 should be bored in the cap of the bottle, and a square hole 

 should be cut in the quilt about an inch smaller than the 

 block, to which it should be nailed. About a quarter of a pint 

 of syrup should be placed in the feeder every night, but as the 

 spring advances the quantity may be increased to half a pint. 



