236 A Modern Bee-Farm 
productive of more brood than two combs partly occupied 
by stores at this season. Indeed, in early Spring the old 
stores, particularly of pollen, are the greatest impediment 
to the rapid extension of the brood nest. By all means 
keep such stores in the hives generally, but unless 
intersected by new combs a stock cannot be pushed on 
rapidly towards the swarming point. During Autumn 
and Winter, tough warm combs are a necessity, but as 
mild weather approaches, and the bees again expand, clean 
new combs are a convenient medium for producing the 
greatest possible numbers; but these. combs must be 
constructed while the queen is following with eggs close 
behind the workers. 
The general principles of rapid brood production are 
now before the readers; but we want the best results 
without the usual stimulation of aff stocks, which does not 
always bring on the happy results expected. Under 
The New Process 
the object is to prevent this general stimulation, and 
additional loss of life ensuing thereafter. The great thing 
is to “ Plump,” or fill up each stock in rotation, with all 
the brood it can care for (according to the season) at one 
operation, beginning on the strongest, and so on down to 
the weakest in rotation; otherwise disturbing none, and 
feeding none until so “plumped.” That is another Golden 
Rule in feeding operations; always leave the weaker 
colonies alone until the stronger can help them by brood, 
and perhaps some sealed stores. 
Proportion 3 to 10. 
The proportion of plumping to plumped lots will be three 
to ten; thus each of the latter may receive three new 
combs nearly filling the frame, and every cell with just 
hatching larve at each operation, each week, or twice a 
‘ 
