2dS FIFTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES 



JNCREASING WEAK COLOXIES TO 56. 



III the year 18!)!t, at the Hastings apiary, 1 increased nine 

 colonies to fifty-six, making tliem rear their own queens, and 

 building up mostly on foundation. Xo advantage was taken in 

 the way of hauling colonies from home to divide, and the same 

 plan would work just as well if I had had only one apiary. The 

 increase was very satisfactory, considering how weak the col- 

 onies were at the start. j\Iay 2!) there were only forty-one 



Vir). 90. — Nucleus Bottom-Board. 



combs containing any brood in the nine colonies, counting 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 year was unusually favorable for increase, for there was a 

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

 in September. 



iNo attempt could be made at increase until the colonies 

 were stronger, and the first step looking in that direction was 

 not made until .Tune 12. On that date No. 2:!7 with its seven 

 framcp of brood and bees was taken from its stand, and a hive 



