and its Economic Management. 253 
during July, when little work is generally being carried on 
by the bees in most districts. But, that we may allow for 
uniting in the Autumn, it will be safe to reckon only upon 
50 per cent increase, as it is imperative that all be kept in 
good condition. In the table of estimates this has been 
placed at a much lower rate, so that there is little fear of 
the apiarist weakening his stock. 
A division of stocks can also be made during any interval 
of dearth, if not too Jate in the season, but in any case a 
young queen should be on hand. The operation of 
Dividing 
will consist in removing from a strong colony one-half of 
the brood combs containing mostly hatching brood, with 
the bees clustering thereon, as well as the queen; placing 
these in a new location, with all the brood near the centre 
of the hive with empty combs or foundation on either side 
of the same. The brood combs remaining on the old stand 
are to be alternated with foundation, as the larger number 
of bees will be here, and on the evening of the third day 
following, unite with them the nucleus having a young 
queen, or insert the queen alone if the nucleus is again 
required. The reason for waiting three days in this case is 
solely because of the bees returning from the removed 
portion which may not always be friendly to the queen 
which they know is not the one they have just left.* 
Having their own queen, there are not so many bees 
leave that portion placed in another situation, and possessing 
the older brood the hive will soon be crowded, when the 
outside sheets of foundation are to be inserted one or two 
at a time in the centre of the brood nest. The number of 
frames to be allowed for breeding in divided stocks will 
* When starting the swarm without brood combs it is better to 
leave the queen on the old stand. 
